How Food Affects Your Skin: Sugar, Carbs, Alcohol
August 13, 2021 by Ana
You probably know by now that food has a lot to do with your overall health and well-being, but did you know how crucial what you eat is for the way you look? Yes, the healthier you are on the inside, the more it shows on the outside!
When we pursue perfect skin, we tend to try different creams and serums, search for the most elaborate and expensive facials, and try many DIY recipes. While all of these are definitely helpful for our complexion, the truth is that the condition of your skin reflects what you feed your body with.
But besides adding fruits and veggies to your diet and making sure you are hydrated at all times, there are a few things you’ll want to give up or significantly cut back on. And today, we are going to talk about three of the most dangerous edible enemies for your skin: sugar, carbs, and alcohol.
Sugar & Premature Aging
If you are addicted to chocolate or summer is synonymous with ice cream, we have some bad news. Sugar is more of a foe than a friend for both your overall health and skin condition.
Excess sugar in your bloodstream can cause Glycation. This is a natural chemical reaction that happens when sugar levels spike beyond what your insulin can handle. It affects the part of the skin that keeps it young and beautiful, collagen and elastin, making these proteins weaker and causing the first signs of aging. Your skin gets drier and less elastic, wrinkles appear, and you’ll notice annoying sagging and dull skin appearance.
The more Glycation occurs in your body, the quicker your skin ages. Now, nobody says you should never spoil your taste buds, but avoiding sugar as much as possible is advisable if you want to have a young, gorgeous complexion.
Alcohol & Rosacea
Who doesn’t enjoy a glass of wine once in a while? It’s delicious, it gives you a fun buzz, and some say a glass of red is safe or even good for your health. But if you make this a habit, your skin will suffer.
For instance, have you noticed that your face flushes when you drink? This means you have some degree of rosacea, a common skin condition that causes your face, especially your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead, to turn red. Not only can drinking alcohol trigger a rosacea flare, but even if you don’t have the condition, many studies are showing that alcohol can raise the chances of getting rosacea. Alcohol also makes your skin lose its natural plumpness and healthy glow, dehydrating it and causing wrinkles and pores to be more visible.
Not to mention that, even if we can't directly link alcohol to acne, it might trigger it. How? Well, drinking a bit more than you should, causes a form of stress, which enables the release of certain steroid hormones, such as glucocorticoids and adrenal androgens. And these hormones stimulate the oil glands in the skin, leading to acne. Bottom line — A glass of wine is perfectly fine, but never forget about moderation!
Carbohydrates & Oily Skin
Foodies won’t like this, but high glycemic load diets containing sugar, bread, pasta, rice, and other foods made with flowers are very well-known acne triggers. We know they are delicious, but, unfortunately, the flavor comes at a great cost.
These foods are rapidly digested into sugar, resulting in a dangerous, rapid rise in blood sugar. It triggers your body to produce more male hormones, encouraging pores in the skin to secrete large quantities of sebum. And this is how acne begins!
High carbohydrate foods also promote enlargement of the sebaceous glands causing blackheads, they enable weight gain, and they raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. So, to make sure your skin is healthy and clean, and you don’t risk getting sick, try to clear out the refined ‘white’ carbohydrates and sugars from your diet by replacing them with the ‘good’ carbs, like veggies, fruits, beans, and whole grains.
At first glance, a low glycemic load diet appears to be difficult, but it also includes healthy fats, nuts, and seeds, and it is a safe and effective way to take care of your inside and outside!
Change Your Diet & Habits
Say NO to sugar, carbs, and alcohol, and add antioxidants to your diet. You can find them in colorful fruits and vegetables, and they will help you fight free radical formation. People who have high levels of antioxidants in the skin have smoother textured skin. Be one of them!
Fish is also an excellent source of protein, which your body uses to build collagen and elastin, nuts and seeds provide healthy omega-3 fats, and water is life for you and your skin. So, be sure to stay well hydrated!
Last but not least, make sure you sleep enough. And, if you already notice premature fine lines, add smoothing pads and patches to your beauty sleep routine. They are easy to apply and comfortable, allowing you to sleep like a baby while they work their magic, enhancing skin’s firmness and glow!
