Beware! These 9 Foods Can Age Your Skin Before Time
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Many of us, at some point or the other, have looked at those gorgeous faces on our TV screens and exclaimed, “Why doesn’t my skin look like that, ever?” Well, here’s an answer to that million-dollar question. It is because your food habits are not in sync with your skin’s overall health. You will be surprised to know how these foods pace up aging and make your skin look drab and dull.
So ladies, besides using those costly skin toners, moisturizers, and creams, it’s time to start eating right, and get that radiant, glowing skin you have always wanted. A younger looking skin is the first step to a younger looking body. After all, who doesn’t want the age aunt to slow down?
Here are nine foods that are absolutely unhealthy for your skin.
1. Sugar
Sugar tops the chart amongst all the food items that should be avoided if you really want to have a young and glowing skin, even when you turn 50. It makes you fat and wrinkly. Sugar doesn’t agree too well with collagen and elastin – two proteins that give the skin its firm and supple look.
So, the next time you crave for Death by Chocolate, look at your beautiful face in the mirror and chant ‘maybe next time’. Avoid sugar-coated breakfast cereals, cake snacks, and artificial sweeteners.
2. Alcohol
The next devil in disguise is alcohol – the immediate dehydrator that squeezes out vitamins A, B, and C, which are the best buddies of your glowing skin. Though the magic potion gives your brain a pleasant high, excess of liquor depletes essential minerals from your skin. So, the next time you pour a drink, remember, your skin will have to bear its consequences. Oh yes! It does burn fat too, but this is essential fat, and your skin needs it more than anything else.
That does not mean that you refuse all party invites. You could always pour a glass of red wine instead of hard liquor. Red wine has resveratrol that is good for your skin and helps ward off skin aging. Balance your drinks by gulping a glass of water every now and then. Stay hydrated, and you’re good. All the best with the hangover, though!
3. Salt
Salt, especially iodized, can harm your skin and result in a puffy sleep-deprived look. With overconsumption of salt, the skin tissues swell up. Acne is also linked to excessive salt consumption in many women. Here’s a tip – cut down on ready-to-cook soups, pasta sauces, and potato chips, and shift to healthy snacks instead. Also, hide that salt sprinkler. Now!
4. Potatoes And Grains
As soon as potatoes and grains enter your body, they break down into sugar. So, if your activity levels are low, and all walking is restricted from the office desk to the couch, stay off grains and potatoes. Zinc plays an important role in your skin health and potatoes use it up for metabolization.
5. Fried Foods
No fried and finger foods for you! Though this might remind you of mommy’s rulebook, there’s a reason it was included there. Fried foods can clog your skin pores with unhealthy fat. Shift to healthier munching options, and you are sorted.
6. Red Meat
Red meat kicks off free radicals that snatch electrons from healthy cells. Without these electrons, the skin loses its ability to create collagen that is blessing for healthy skin. Though burgers are the biggest culprits of red meat consumption, you could always replace lamb and cheeseburger with turkey or chicken burger. Opt for lean meat options if the craving is way too much.
7. Foods With High Glycemic Index
Foods with high glycemic index shoot up glucose and insulin levels in your system. The most dreaded skin acne is a result of such foods. Stick to whole grain substitutes as they are anti-inflammatory and boost antioxidants.
8. Caffeine
This diuretic demon could dehydrate your skin day after day. Too much caffeine consumption is the culprit behind skin damage. You will be surprised how quickly it can make your skin age. Replace your tea or coffee with water or fruit infusions if you wish you look stunning in your next profile picture.
9. Processed Meat
Though processed meat is often associated with comfort food, it uses up vitamin C, which slows down collagen generation. Collagen protects the skin from aging and makes it supple and healthy. Not to forget, the high on salt preservatives increase puffiness of skin and trigger inflammation.
Your lifestyle plays a major role in skin aging. This does not mean that you stop eating everything on this list and give way to foodie depression. Some minor tweaks in everyday eating habits are all you need to take a few years off your face. Check out what you eat and how you eat.
