By Hannah Schenker
Having a baby really takes its toll on us. Physically, the changes in our appearance go deeper than gaining a lovely jiggly belly – we are changed on a cellular level. Add to that sleepless nights, endless demands on our energy, juggling multiple strands of life in what seems like already very full days – no wonder we start to notice new wrinkles, dull skin and general lacklustre. Before you get too depressed about these changes, consider adding some Kakadu plum into your life!
What is Kakadu plum and why are you recommending it?
Kakadu plum (also known as gubinge, billygoat plum, green plum, salty plum, murunga or mador) is a powerhouse plant native to northern Australia that is absolutely loaded with vitamin C – in fact it is the richest source of vitamin C on earth. And where you find loads of vitamin C, you find antioxidants. Antioxidants are lovely little things – they help to slow the signs of aging. They work hard in our bodies to slow or prevent the harm caused by “free radicals” – so we want to be eating foods and using skin care products rich in these beneficial compounds.
As parents, we are stressed. We reach for a coffee in the morning, and a wine in the evening. We often skip healthy foods and go for convenience. We sleep far less than we used to. We worry. We don’t drink enough water. We are under a fair amount of stress.
Add to that, as we get older, the natural collagen in our skin is reduced and our skin elasticity declines anyway. The potent vitamin C in Kakadu plum naturally slows down the aging process by helping to form an amino acid that creates collagen. Now, most collagen products are from animal sources, whereas the Kakadu plum is of course a fruit – so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
