HEAL WOUNDS

16. SWEET POTATOES

Eating a sweet spud, which has nearly six times the daily recommended value of vitamin A, may help prevent infection as you heal from a wound. “Vitamin A is important to keep your skin structurally sound,” says dietitian Joan Salge Blake. “Otherwise, bacteria and viruses can more easily enter the body.”

17. CASHEWS

These nuts contain zinc, vital for wound healing. “Zinc reduces inflammation that accompanies skin wounds and helps produce proteins that enhance E

the quick production of skin cells,” explains Blake. One serving consists of 30 nuts.

18. RED CAPSICUM

Red capsicum are brimming with vitamin C, essential for healing injuries. “When you have a cut, your body needs vitamin C to produce new collagen, a protein required to heal wounds,” says Gallaher. A cup of chopped raw capsicum has more than double the daily recommended value.