RECIPE: Beauty salad with blackberry collagen dressing

IMBIBE X THE LONGEVITY NUTRITIONIST Erin Hall, Clinical Nutritionist (BHSc)

So, what is anti-ageing medicine?

Anti-ageing medicine incorporates both preventative and integrative medicine. It is a holistic approach that encourages healthy ageing while enhancing lifespan. Instead of being disease focused, anti-ageing practitioners follow a health focused approach.

Medicine has long focused on treating disease, but longevity science is based on the principles of functional medicine—teaching us how to optimise our health and wellbeing. The basis of this approach focuses on lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, environmental exposure and genetics.

Ageing & Collagen

During early adulthood, fibroblasts (found in connective tissue) begin to decline and become less active. They decline at a rate of roughly 1-1.5% per year, but their rate of decline can be accelerated by poor lifestyle choices and diet.

There are two primary skin ageing mechanisms, labelled as intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic refer to genetic and hormonal factors, while extrinsic factors involve lifestyle components such as sun exposure, pollution, sleep, exercise, stress, alcohol consumption and smoking. These characteristics can visually manifest into fine line formation, wrinkle formation, skin pigmentation  and melanogenesis.

Studies have demonstrated when collagen peptides are ingested, they travel through the body to where fibroblasts are present. The peptides stimulate fibroblasts to create more collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin—resulting in improved skin complexion, skin elasticity and hydration.

Beauty Salad Nutrients

Other than ingesting Imbibe Miracle Collagen, there are many foods you can eat to help support the natural production of collagen. I have developed a beauty salad recipe designed to support your skin and boost your natural collagen production. There are four different fruits included — pomegranate, blackberries, oranges and figs — which are packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C vitamin A and folate.

These do a great job of fighting free radicals, lowering inflammation, alleviate skin dryness, protecting existing collagen and promoting the production of new collagen. I’ve also added salmon for a boost of omega-3, helping the skin stay plump, moisturised and less sensitive to the suns UV rays.

 

How to Use Miracle Collagen

You don’t just have to drink your collagen in a smoothie or coffee! My beauty salad dressing pairs perfectly with Imbibe Miracle Collagen. It contains one hero ingredient — blackberries!

Blackberries are packed full of antioxidants including anthocyanins, which hold powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The collagen is completely flavourless and dissolves perfectly with all the ingredients once blitzed together, allowing the sweet flavours from the dressing to shine.

 

Lifestyle Factors to Protect Collagen

When it comes to protecting collagen, following healthy lifestyle habits is just as important as following a balanced diet. Some of the biggest agers for skin are excessive sun exposure, prolonged stress, inadequate sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption and dehydration. It’s really important to get your foundations right to see real improvements and visible changes in your skin. Start by implementing these small but impactful habits.

Get at least 8hrs of uninterrupted sleep per night.
Drink 2L minimum of filtered water daily.
Get 15 minutes of morning sunlight daily. Then apply sunscreen at SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays throughout the day.
Limit alcohol and smoking as much as possible.
Find stress-management techniques that work for you. For example, meditation or slow walks in nature.

RECIPE: Beauty Salad with Miracle Collagen Dressing

 

Method

Salad:

1. On a large serving plate, scatter romaine lettuce and mint leaves to create the salad bed.

2. Layer the salad starting with the orange slices, then figs, pomegranate seeds, crushed walnuts and sliced salmon. 

Miracle collagen dressing:

1. Put blackberries in a bowl and pulse with a stick blender until you reach a smooth consistency. Add collagen powder and mix well.

2. In another bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey and lemon juice.

3. Add the mixture to the blackberries. Add salt & pepper and blend.

  

You can find Erin on Instagram @thelongevity_nutritionist or at thelongevitynutritionist.com.au