Vaishnavi Rao in Bathing Suit "Needs Some Beach"

Vaishnavi Rao is back in one of her all-time favorite locations—the beautiful Maldives. Rao shared pictures from her vacation, posing in a variety of swimsuits against a backdrop of sand and sea. "Random pictures from Maldives because I need some beach ✌🏻," she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Rao  stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

Rao enjoys fresh coconut water, especially on vacation. "Research on animals suggests that coconut water contains compounds that have a protective antioxidant effect," says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. "Two of the known phyto-nutrients in coconut water that have these effects are shikimic acid and caffeic acid, with the benefits in the animal studies ranging from decreased cholesterol markers to improvements in liver health. However, to date there have been no human studies to replicate these findings, so it's too early to say whether the same benefits may be enjoyed."

Biotin loves the skincare benefits of cocoa shea butter. "Cocoa butter is an amazing moisturizer, as it's rife with fatty acids. It's also rich in antioxidants," says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a dermatologist and the founder of Mudgil Dermatology. "Caution should be exercised if you're acne-prone, as this can clog pores."

Rao takes biotin supplements to support hair health. "Biotin is critical for the metabolism of fatty acids and carbs, but that's not what people are using it for," says Jason Ewoldt, RDN, LD, wellness dietician at the Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Program. "They're using it to strengthen brittle nails and for thinning hair."

Rao loves drinking coffee for the energy boost. "There aren't a lot of downsides to drinking moderate amounts of coffee — and in fact, it can have positive effects on your health," says registered dietitian Andrea Dunn, RD. "Surprisingly, coffee is the single best source of antioxidants in the American diet."

 

Rao enjoys freshly-squeezed orange juice for breakfast. "It's well known that citrus, and notably oranges, are rich in vitamin C, which has valuable antioxidant properties and helps protect cells from damage," says registered nutritionist Nicola Shubrook. "They're also high in carotenoids including beta-cryptoxanthin, which the body converts to vitamin A, and the blood orange provides lycopene.