5 Foods to Avoid and 3 to Include That Affect Clear Skin
We’ve all heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” But does that go for our skin, too? Yes, it does! Having a good skin care regimen like washing with a gentle cleanser and using a hydrating face cream can do a world of good. It’s also important to consider what you are eating and how it can affect your skin.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. An organ is a part of the body with a specific vital function. Some of the skin functions include acting as a protective barrier, retaining moisture in the body, regulating temperature, and producing vitamin D. Proper nutrition helps care for your skin and improves the look — and the health — of one of your most important organs.
Eating a diet to improve your skin reduces inflammation, increases hydration, and supports your immune system. A good diet can help improve skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and dermatitis and reduce overall redness.
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Foods to Avoid for Clearer Skin
High Glycemic Index Foods
Foods and drinks high on the glycemic index can raise your blood sugar quickly, which then causes your body to produce insulin. These spikes in blood sugar can increase inflammation, and some research has shown that it can also increase oil production in the skin.
High glycemic index foods are typically high in refined carbohydrates and sugars. Examples include:
- White bread
- Sugary cereals
- Potato chips and pretzels
- White potatoes and french fries
- Cookies, pastries, and doughnuts
- White rice
- Sweet drinks like sodas, milkshakes, sweetened tea, and coffee
Try to minimize these foods as much as possible and choose healthy alternatives.
Alcoholic Drinks
When you consume alcohol, it reduces the antidiuretic hormone levels circulating in your body. This is just a confusing way of saying that alcohol causes you to lose more water than you are taking in by drinking, which results in dehydration. Dry skin is more prone to dullness and damage.
Alcohol also increases vasodilation and can cause flushing, redness of the skin and is shown to increase the occurrence of rosacea. If you are one of the many people who have trouble metabolizing alcohol, it can cause hives and itching of the skin. Alcohol intake can also increase sun sensitivity in some people.
