Ever wonder what your regional food faves do for your beauty? Turns out, while we’re chowing down on hummus, falafel, and baba ghanoush, we’re not only satiating our hunger (or ~hanger~, #iykyk) but we’re also giving our skin, hair, and nails a serious dose of beauty benefits. We chatted with clinical nutritionist, Lina Shibib, of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres to find out how some of the most popular Middle Eastern foods do the most to serve us gorgeous glowing skin (and more).
Beauty benefits:
“Made of chickpeas, these tiny legumes may actually aid in wrinkle reduction. They’re high in manganese, which fights free radicals, and molybdenum, which aids skin detoxification by eliminating sulphites. Other nutrients, like folate and vitamin B, nourish skin cells while also repairing damage caused by the sun and dangerous pollutants.”
“In addition, the sesame oil in hummus has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which is especially good for the hair. Last, but not least, the olive oil in hummus has a chemical structure that is almost identical to the skin’s natural oil. It contains healthy fats, vitamin E, squalene, and oleic acids.”
“Studies have shown that hummus helps in weight loss, as chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber, both of which keep you fuller for longer and protein satiates hunger as well as heart health.”
How often to eat:
“As long as it’s homemade, you could in fact eat hummus every day – with no side effects whatsoever.”
Beauty benefits:
“Same ingredients as hummus, in addition to fresh parsley (which you will find a lot of falafel toppings and in the falafel itself), is an often-overlooked superfood but is chock full of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folic acid as well as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Think clearer skin, shinier hair, and stronger nails.”
How often to eat:
“This meal is high in fat with almost half its calories coming from fat. However, if it’s fried in a healthy oil (such olive, canola, or grapeseed oil) and you limit your intake of fat for the rest of the day, falafel definitely fits into a healthy everyday diet.”
Beauty benefits:
“The main ingredient is eggplant, which is low in calories and carbohydrates and high in fiber. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals like potassium and vitamin K – all of which are scientifically proven to aid in glowing skin, hair, and nail health. In this case, the potassium, in particular, smooths wrinkles and age spots while protecting against UV Rays and naturally moisturises and hydrates skin cells. Another beauty factor of this vitamin mix is it supports new skin cell growth. This helps heal blemishes and scars. Eggplant is high in vitamin C, which supports your immune system and also contains anthocyanins which support heart health.”
How often to eat:
“You can feast on baba ghanoush every day.”
Beauty benefits:
“Dates are an excellent source of vitamin C and D which helps to maintain your skin elasticity and deliver smooth and glowing skin. Dates also come with anti-aging properties and prevent the accumulation of melanin. Ranging from the promotion of weight loss to the treatment of constipation, bone health, immunity, brain and heart health and even the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer or different types of cancers or other chronic diseases.”
How often to eat:
“Munch on dates daily as a snack to benefit from its effects.”
Beauty benefits:
“Umm….there’s none. “The most basic difference between shish tawook and shawarma is the spices that are used in cooking. Chicken shawarma most often adds warmer spices (cinnamon, allspice, etc) and omits the lemon brightness, for deeper flavored meat. These spiced, marinated meats are often fattier cuts of lamb, beef, veal, or chicken that’s further marinated in more fat.”
“Chicken shawarma, for example, is juicy, greasy, and high in fat content, that’s why taste good – but could also make you age quicker, both physically and visually. Plenty of studies have shown that skin is often triggered by fat and refined carbohydrates in the diet, which leads to acne. In addition to acne, blackheads are almost immediately visible with such foods.”
“Their nutritional value results in a lack of vital nutrients and vitamins which are very important for proper body growth and development. Unhealthy eating habits can stop brain and body growth.”
How often to eat:
“Preferably limiting it to once a month.”
Beauty benefits:
“Packed with vitamins, it’s an anti-aging dish. The nutrients in fattoush help synthesize collagen, provide natural sun protective effects, protect against wrinkling and sagging of skin, can improve dark under-eye circles, and even make skin smoother. What’s good about it? Everything!”
“The health advantages from consuming a diet packed with vegetables and whole foods like the fattoush salad include weight loss, reduced insulin secretion, better sports performance as well as a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and most cancers.”
“Veggies and whole foods are low in calories but still fill you up, giving your system nutrient-dense macro-and micronutrients in order to function at the best possible level. Also, raw garlic and grind black pepper have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help improves digestion.”
How often to eat:
“Every single day of the week.”
Beauty benefits:
“Halloumi is high in calcium, which helps to preserve a healthy skin glow. This nutrient is stored in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and regulates sebum production to keep skin hydrated and eczema free.”
How often to eat:
“Halloumi cheese is high in fat making it quite calorific. When on a weight loss diet based on lowering your calorie intake, high amounts of halloumi cheese could quickly cause a calorie build-up. If not aiming to lose weight, you can eat the cheese every day with no health impacts.”
Beauty benefits:
“With no direct relationship to beauty, the only benefit of Fava beans in Foul may be that it’s good for your waistline. A one-cup (170-gram) serving of fava beans provides 13 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber. With only 187 calories per cup, a diet rich in protein and fiber may improve feelings of fullness, which may result in a lower calorie intake and weight loss.”
“Foul medames are a nutritionist’s delight. They are high in protein, low in fat, and contain no cholesterol. They are packed with fiber and high in copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, riboflavin, calcium, and phosphorous. To top all that they are rich in vitamins A, B6, and C. This low-calorie dish is filling too, so ideal for those watching their weight.”
How often to eat:
“If you use dried beans instead of canned beans, you could get rid of its high salt content and if no illness is present have it every day.”
Beauty benefits:
“The anti-inflammatory properties of za’atar spice mix can be very useful for improving the appearance of the skin, speeding wound healing, and even reducing the appearance of age spots and blemishes, thanks to the rich mixture of antioxidants found in za’atar.”
“Za’atar has some truly impressive health benefits apart from beauty, including its ability to improve the immune system, build strong bones, increase circulation, clear out the respiratory tracts, soothe inflammation, boost energy, improve mood, aid memory, and treat chronic diseases.”
How often to eat:
“You can enjoy za’atar every day. However, if you sprinkle it on manakeesh be aware that this dough-based pie should be eaten in moderation. One manouche can range from 183 calories up through 550 calories.”