If you feel like you don’t have healthy skin, it could be due to what you eat and drink.
By replacing food that causes problematic skin (listed below) with substitutes that have high water or protein content, you’ll refresh, replenish, and hydrate your skin – and have a better complexion. And remember, drinking plenty of water is essential, too!
Pasta is one of the worst culprits for causing breakouts – because it’s a carb, it raises the body’s glucose and insulin levels, which, in turn, puts stress on the liver, and prompting the release of a regulating hormone called IGF-1. Dermatologists have linked this hormone with acne.
Replacement: Quinoa, which is packed with protein to replenish and rebuild the skin.
Strawberries, mangoes, pineapple and spinach may be packed with vitamins, but they can also stimulate histamine in the body which results in an itchy, red complexion.
Replacement: Cooling foods such as apple, celery, cucumber and coconut. They all have a high water content which soothes inflammation.
Eating too much grilled food can have an adverse effect on the skin, thanks to high levels of advanced Glycation End products. These damaging proteins or lipids can impact on collagen production, causing sagging.
Replacement: Baking that chicken breast for 20 to 25 minutes instead. Just go easy on the oil.
A rosacea bout can knock your confidence. Alcohol and spicy food aren’t the only triggers though; like alcohol, caffeine-based drinks such as tea and coffee can also make the blood vessels dilate, causing redness on the skin’s surface.
Replacement: Instead of drinking tea or coffee in the morning, rather have a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon. This refreshing drink will not only wake you up without the skin irritation of caffeine, but it’ll kick start your metabolism, too.
Seaweed (or nori), found in sushi, could be to blame for dark circles under the eyes and puffiness, due to high levels of iodized salt.
Replacement: Making your own, using soy wrappers as a substitute (available at Asian supermarkets).
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any diet, you should speak to your doctor. You must not rely on the information on this website/newsletter as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
