Fruits That are Good for the Skin & Hair

Fruits That are Good for the Skin & Hair

Eating fruit provides many health benefits. In contrast, failing to eat enough fruit causes deficiency syndromes. Negative effects of the latter medical conditions include damage to the body's organs. The skin is the body's largest organ, and the skin and hair are good indicators of overall health. Edible and inedible fruits can promote healthy skin and hair. People should, however, consult with a doctor before self medicating with fruit-based products.

Pomegranate

Skin cancer remains the most prevalent form of cancer. The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. Pomegranates may help reduce the damage caused by the ultraviolet light. An investigation described in the November 2010 edition of "Photochemistry and Photobiology" evaluated this hypothesis in laboratory animals. Mice first received either pomegranate extract or an inert treatment for 14 days. They then received intense exposure to ultraviolet light. Relative to the placebo, the extract limited light-induced skin damage and promoted skin repair. While suggestive, these results obtained in animals may not apply to humans. In addition, intense pulses of ultraviolet light are not similar to brief periods of sunlight exposure.

Kiwi

Atopic dermatitis affects about 7 percent of the population and its prevalence is increasing. Doctors have few effective and safe treatments available for this skin problem. Yet, kiwi may prove useful. A study noted in the October 2009 issue of "Journal of Medicinal Food" tested this Australian fruit in an animal model of severe dermatitis. Affected mice received kiwi extract for 56 days with blood and skin variables recorded before and after treatment. Relative to baseline, fruit intake reduced clinical markers of the atopic dermatitis. It also reduced chemical measures of a stress response. Given these findings, humans with dermatitis may benefit from eating kiwi. Such speculations, however, require additional studies.

Jujube

Hair loss changes the lives of cancer patients. Products that allegedly increase hair growth remain popular with consumers. Fruit-based oils may provide a safer alternative. A study presented in the May 2010 edition of "Food and Chemical Toxicology" looked at the hair growing potential of jujube extract. Shaved mice were given low-strength oil, high-strength oil or no oil for 21 days. The data showed that low-strength oil produced the most promising results. Mice receiving jujube oil grew their hair back 10 percent faster than mice receiving no oil. Such findings indicate that fruit products may enhance human hair growth. Yet, more research remains necessary before jujube extract becomes commercially viable.

Neem

Lice infestations remain a common problem for school children. Prescription medications can treat these intrusions, yet such drugs often cause unwanted reactions. Neem, an inedible fruit, may offer an alternative approach. A study in Egypt assessed the impact of a neem-based shampoo in naturally infested dogs. The scientists recorded measures of skin and hair health before and after 14 days of treatment. Results, published in the December 2008 issue of "Parasitology Research," revealed that neem extract eliminated lice infestation in eight of the 10 dogs tested. The other two dogs showed only mild infestation by the end of the trial. Neem appears useful in removing lice, but human application requires additional research.

source : livestronge.com