The bitter taste makes many people avoid avoiding noni. However, this fruit is often mentioned to have many benefits, one of which is for the health of facial skin. What is the medical fact?
Noni or Morinda citrifolia belongs to a group of coffee plants. This fruit has many names ranging from pace, turtle, and noni fruit, and is widely grown in Southeast Asia and Australia. It's no secret that Noni emits an unpleasant aroma, even makes it want to vomit, so it's not uncommon for people to call it "vomit fruit". Not only that, the rough skin texture of the fruit makes it look unattractive for consumption. Although the appearance is less attractive, various substances contained in noni appear to have benefits for facial skin. These benefits are:
Prevent wrinkles
Noni contains active anthraquinone. Anthracinone can trigger collagen formation which is needed to maintain skin elasticity. This is what makes Noni can help prevent wrinkles and keep skin tight. A scientific study states that consumption of noni extract can prevent premature aging of the skin.
Helps maintain skin cells
The content of essential fatty acids and peroxironine substances in noni can protect cell walls, repair damaged cells including skin cells. Not only that, vitamin C and antioxidants in noni can also help keep the skin from free radical damage from food and air pollution.
Helps cure various skin diseases
Noni has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. This is what makes it able to help the healing process of skin diseases such as eczema, mild burns, redness due to allergies, and fungal diseases. Keep in mind that in this condition, noni only acts as a supporter of medicines given, not as a primary therapy.
In addition to noni, some of the following food ingredients can also help you get healthy and bright facial skin:
Olive oil
Olive oil has long been known to have many health benefits. Research published in the journal PLOS One shows that those who consumed two teaspoons of olive oil every day experienced aging on facial skin that was slower than those who did not eat it.
Tomato
One of the keys to getting healthy facial skin is to use sunscreen regularly. For those of you who live in a tropical country like Indonesia, the use of sunscreen is mandatory and should not be overlooked to prevent the skin from being damaged by ultraviolet light from the sun.
Tomatoes contain lycopene which functions as an antioxidant and natural sunscreen. Daily consumption of tomatoes plus regular use of sunscreen can maximize the protection of your skin.
Dark chocolate
Many people are reluctant to eat chocolate for fear of gaining weight. In fact, chocolate, especially dark chocolate contains flavonoids that can help blood flow, including facial skin. Thus, facial skin will get enough nutrients.
Green tea
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2011 showed that those who consumed green tea every day for 12 weeks had a smoother and more elastic face. The antioxidant content in green tea can neutralize free radicals in the skin.
Having healthy skin and a beautiful face doesn't have to be expensive. Fruits, such as noni, and food ingredients around you can bring many benefits to facial skin.