We all know that you get out what you put in - when it comes to work, love and our bodies. Well that doesn't just apply to your overall health and weight, but to the quality of your skin, too.
Unfortunately, skin creams and cleansers are not enough to keep your skin in tip-top shape, you also need a healthy diet. We found the absolute worst foods for your skin, and how they affect our largest organ.
"What you eat affects your skin— for better or worse a continuously poor diet can accelerate the aging process of your skin (and teeth) over time. Here foods to consume in moderation in order to look as young as you feel.
Candy:
In our candy-heavy culture, adolescence is synonymous with pimples. "But in countries without diets heavy in processed sugar, kids go through puberty without acne. Even if you're well (well) out of your teen years, this finding is a pretty good indication that the Snickers bar you stash in your desk drawer may be a culprit for your adult breakouts. And to add insult to injury, sugar also degrades collagen and elastin, the proteins that keeps skin soft, supple, and springy. (Need more incentive to kick the sugar habit?
"Healthy" Cereal:
Don’t let the virtuous packaging deceive you. While whole grains are generally lower on the glycemic index (a measure of how a food affects blood sugar) compared to white ones, many "healthy" cereals are often highly refined and full of added sugar. And that means they can lead to wrinkle-inducing glucose spikes.
Milk:
It may do a body good, but your skin? Not so much. Especially the skim variety. "Milk can be full of growth hormones and growth factors that remain biologically active even after pasteurization," explains Treloar. "Studies show that they appear to make their way into our blood stream where they can affect insulin, cause inflammation, and ramp up oil production." The result: breakout city. Population: you. Organic milk may be a good alternative, as it contains only regularly-occurring hormones instead of added ones that are found in non-organic options, though more research is needed to say for certain whether organic options won’t negatively impact skin.
Chips:
Teeming with refined carbs, these noshes increase the inflammation that triggers DNA- and collagen-damaging oxidative stress. Over time, you’ll notice more fine lines, wrinkles, and aged appearance, according to a 2014 study of Drugs in Dermatology, refined carbs are the main culprit in the rise of adult acne cases.
Secretly Sugary Smoothies:
Americans consume an average of 22 teaspoons of sugar per day roughly three times the recommended amount. Most come from hidden sources of sugar, and one of the biggest culprits is smoothies. But it’s not the natural sugar found in fruit that’s the problem. Store-bought bottled smoothie versions or made-to-order options from chains may include juice, frozen yogurt, or even sherbet in the recipes, all of which are packed with added sugar. If you're making them at home and using only good-for-you ingredients like unsweetened nut milk or yogurt, you're safe from the sugar bomb.
Agave:
Billed as a better-for-you sugar alternative, this sweet syrup made from several species of agave plants often packs more fructose than even high fructose corn syrup. "Fructose is metabolized by your liver where it not only turns into fat, but is much more efficient at breaking down collagen than regular table sugar. Meaning that seemingly healthy switch you made by swapping sugar for agave may make crow’s feet more noticeable.
Juices and Sodas:
You know that most juices are just sugar delivery vehicles, with many packing as much as a soda. But you may not know that it’s their lack of fiber that makes them such bad news for your skin. Fiber is essential for preventing blood sugar swings that prematurely age skin. Without it, wrinkles will follow.
Fast Food:
Choosing drive thru lanes, with their high GI and saturated fat-laden menus, can put you at risk for blemishes. Compared to a low-GI, high protein diet, Western diets (traditionally high GI and heavy on the fast food) were linked to more acne lesions,
Margarine:
While fats are essential for maintaining supple skin, they’re not all created equal. And some, like the trans fats often found in margarine, may zap hydration. A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that higher intake of margarine was associated with increased skin wrinkling.
CHARRED MEAT:
That black char on your burger? It may contain pro-inflammatory hydrocarbons, which could present a problem since inflammation breaks down the collagen in your skin, explains. You don't necessarily need to banish BBQ from your vocab, but at least make sure you scrape off the black stuff, and clean the grill afterward so you don't contaminate your next meal.
SALTY FOODS:
You might not cook with salt, but that doesn't guarantee your intake is low. "Many canned foods are preserved with sodium, which can make you retain water and cause a 'puffy' look," says Ranella Hirsch, MD, former president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery, and dermatologist practicing in Massachusetts. Watch out for these 13 foods that are saltier than you realize, and if you need a quick fix, combat fluid retention with a moisturizer that contains caffeine.
PROCESSED MEATS:
Think: Deli meat, sausage, and bacon. "Many of these meats have sulfites and other preservatives, which can trigger inflammation in the skin, and accelerate the appearance of aging. They also tend to be high in salt, which can make you look puffy. (Not to mention, processed red meats have been linked to heart disease.) Try swapping the deli meat on your sandwich for chicken or turkey. If you can't say goodbye for good, use less meat, and load up on veggies.
SPICY FOOD:
Spicy food aggravates rosacea-prone skin, but it can also do damage during menopause. "It's believed that the blood vessels in the skin are more reactive then. Since spicy food dilates your blood vessels, menopausal women may find their skin looking blotchy and less youthful during this time. Don't worry about indulging in the occasional spicy curry, but regular flare-ups could lead to spider veins, puffiness, and/or permanent redness. Order your food mild when possible.
ENERGY DRINKS:
Energy drinks may make you feel like you have the pep of a kid, but they have a not-so-youthful effect on your teeth. In fact, teeth exposed to energy drinks were stripped of more enamel than sports drinks, according to a study. Energy drinks were also found to be more acidic— nocoincidence there. (Remember: Acidity makes your teeth more vulnerable to stains.) If you really need your energy drink fix, sip from a straw: "The less contact with your teeth, the better.
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