Eating the Wrong Foods Can Worsen Your Skin

From breakouts to wrinkles, your skin reflects what’s inside your body. Therefore, it’s only natural that the foods you eat can affect your skin health. Eating certain kinds of foods can make existing conditions worse and even cause new problems to arise. It's important to know which foods are bad for your skin if you want a healthy, clear complexion. Here are some of the worst offenders when it comes to affecting your skin health, as well as what you should be eating instead.

Greasy Foods

Fried and greasy fast food may seem like a delicious treat, but it could take a toll on your skin in the long run. Greasy foods contain saturated fats that clog pores and lead to acne from excess oil production. They also raise cholesterol, which wreaks havoc on blood vessels near the surface of the skin, making them visible and causing accelerated aging of the skin around them. Instead of reaching for greasy dishes like french fries or burgers, opt for healthier fats like nuts and seeds, as well as lean proteins like tofu or fish. Adding healthy fats into your diet will lower inflammation in your body and nourish cells from the inside out so that they stay strong and resilient against environmental stressors — AKA those pesky wrinkles!

Refined Carbs

Bread, pastries and other refined carbs contain high amounts of sugar which contribute to inflammation throughout the body, including on your face! This often leads to puffiness under the eyes, premature wrinkles, and an uneven complexion (think red patches or dryness). The sugary snacks also feed bad bacteria in our gut that can cause breakouts or aggravated acne conditions. Instead of unhealthy refined carbs, fill up on complex carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa or brown rice — all wonderful alternatives packed with fiber to help keep blood sugar levels in check. Sprouted grains are another great option because they are digested slowly due to their nutrient-dense properties; plus these superfoods pack protein too! With their anti-inflammatory benefits comes additional protection from damaging free radicals (which can worsen existing skin conditions).

Processed Meats

Deli meats such as salami, pepperoni, or bacon contain preservatives like nitrates which prevent bacteria from growing but has been linked with increased risk of developing cancer, including various types of cancer related to skin health. Processed meats also contain saturates fats which clog pores and contribute to inflammation in both our bodies and our faces, further leading to blemishes that just won't go away no matter how much makeup you use. Instead, opt for lean proteins such as chicken breasts or fish such as wild caught salmon — both rich sources A-grade protein without the extra additives found in processed meats. You’ll get amazing nutrients while benefitting from its omega-3 fatty acids which have powerful anti-inflammatory powers; meaning fewer breakouts or irritated flareups due to eczema/psoriasis.

Dairy Products

Though dairy is an essential part of many diets because it contains essential nutrients like calcium. It should be consumed sparingly when it comes down to improving skin health since dairy products have a direct connection with acne breakouts on oily areas such as the nose, chin, forehead, etc. Dairy products tend to increase sebum production, resulting clogged pores frequent zits, blackheads, etc. Consider swapping out regular dairy milk for plant-based milks like almond, coconut, oat, soy, etc, since these usually don’t trigger inflammatory responses in sensitive people.

Alcoholic Beverages

Although sipping alcoholic beverages every once in a while might sound harmless, there’s actually proof this habit could negatively affect our skin's appearance. For example, alcohol ages us far more quickly than expected by dehydrating our bodies, dulling complexions, increasing puffiness around eyes, etc. Alcoholic beverage consumption should be kept at bay if we crave youthful looking longer lasting and "glowy" complexion. Instead of copious amounts of alcohol consumption, reach out for hydrating drinks such as water, herbal teas, juices, smoothies, etc. All these cool liquids replenish much needed moisture, providing us with enough hydration support necessary in combating dry and dehydrated skin. In addition, they taste seriously yummy also. 

Caffeine Drinks

If caffeine is something you consume daily consider reducing intake, consider limiting it. Caffeine stimulates stress hormone, cortisol, consistently, leading to hormonal imbalance. This will likely bring about more frequent pimples.