Foods To Avoid For Glowing Skin

Ever gotten through a whole year and wondered where on earth the time went? Us too! While admittedly this year had it’s bumps and hurdles, we’ve still made it to the tail end of 2021. November us upon us, and with it Sydney is finally reopening, just in time for party season. While socialising may be a little different for now, it’s still more important than ever to make sure your skin is a healthy canvas for whatever party looks and trends you’re planning to step out in this season.

Our most recent blog had us eating our way through all the good stuff to keep your skin looking good to help you feel great. This time, we thought we’d turn the tables and shed some light on some not so good foods (and drinks) to avoid if you’re hoping to prolong those glowing skin effects. 

Alcohol

Time to say bye to that extra glass of bubbly? Unfortunately, alcohol has a tendency to dry out our skin and slow down the process of cell regeneration. There are several ways in which this effect takes place. Firstly alcohol consumption is linked to poor sleep, which in turn disrupts the time our body uses to regenerate cells. If sleep is disrupted, so is our cell renewal, therefore, dull skin. This sleep disruption is thought to be linked to our liver metabolising the alcohol, which releases a chemical toxic to skin tissues called acetaldehyde. So not only is our body unable to regenerate healthy skin cells, it’s also taking on further damage from the chemicals released after alcohol consumption. This damage in turn causes an increase in histamine release (the chemical responsible for allergic reactions) which dilates blood vessels causing skin redness. It also explains why some people turn bright red when they drink. So be careful of excessive alcohol consumption, while that extra glass may leave us with some funny stories, it will also have a threefold negative effect on your skin!

While a glass of red wine here and there has been shown to have its share of antioxidants, it still does contain alcohol and so should always be consumed in moderation. 

Fried Foods

We’re sure you already know how detrimental these foods can be to your health, but we thought it relevant to highlight the damage they have on your skin when consumed in excess.

While not all fried foods are created equal, it’s worth keeping an eye out for those that contain trans fats, such as deep fried fast food, certain microwave popcorn and cakes. Not only do these fats have a negative effect on our overall health, studies have shown that trans fats also cause increased skin vulnerability to UV rays. With the strong sun presence over Australia, we definitely want to make sure your skin is as protected as possible from its damaging UV rays! Hanging for some fries? Try looking for alternatives cooked in olive, sunflower or canola oil to change the ratio of bad fats for good fats.

Processed Sugars

Okay okay, we’re really cutting out all the fun foods aren’t we! As always, everything in moderation. Sugar can be found in almost everything, and while it is essential for many of our bodily functions such as energy production, too much can have drastic negative effects on our skin and overall health. Aside the obvious ties to diabetes and blood pressure, studies have shown that consuming too much glucose and fructose can also have a negative effect on collagen formation. Collagen is the main building block for our skin foundation and helps to provide it’s strength and elasticity. Once collagen loses its ability to properly formulate strong bonds with itself, the effects will show on our skin. Think of it like a fisherman’s net. When pulled taught, if you break or don’t correctly tie together a few of the connecting ropes, you’re no longer going to have a tight weave and the net no longer functions as it should. When we translate this to our skin, we are left with wrinkles, saggy skin and loose pores. 

While some sugar is definitely important for our bodies to function at their optimal levels, try to seek natural sources of sugar such as fruit, vegetables (yes veggies contain sugar too), legumes and whole grains. Avoid items such as sugar sweetened drinks (think soda, energy and juice drinks), white bread, candy and sweet desserts (sorry ice cream lovers).

Dairy

While the jury is still out on whether dairy and lactose is directly linked to skin acne, much anecdotal evidence shows a correlation between the two. Some possible reasons for this are attributed to the use of steroids and growth hormones in cows to stimulate milk production to keep up with population demands. By indirectly consuming these, our own hormones may be affected, in turn causing elevated oil production. While a glass here and there provides some much needed Calcium and Vitamin D that our bodies need, keep in mind for dairy hidden in many store bought food products such as protein shakes and meal replacements, coffee creamers, cake mix and other baked goods.

If you are unsure whether dairy is linked to your skin issues, you could try an elimination diet or a food journal to try and pinpoint any causes of your skin issues.

High Salt Foods

Salt, aka sodium chloride has a twofold effect on our body. It causes dehydration and water retention at the same time. How does that even work, you say? Let’s look at the mechanisms between sodium chloride and water. 

Water (H2O) and Salt (Sodium Chloride) have a strong affinity for each other. When combined, the two molecules bond together to form a solution (flashback to Grade 9 Science anyone?). This reaction is how water is transported through our bodies, as sodium from our gut is absorbed into the bloodstream with water attached to it. Now that we now this, needless to say, salt is definitely important for water absorption in our bodies! However, too much salt will cause excess water absorption and storage. This is due to the way our kidneys function. By trying to balance water levels with sodium levels present in the blood, increased salt leads to the kidneys signalling a need for extra water retention. This extra water is stored under the skin, leading to puffiness and swelling. Unfortunately, in order to try and maintain the salt to water balance, our kidneys will signal the body to also draw water from the skin. This leads to skin dehydration and in turn, wrinkles, sagging and dull skin!

While it might seem like a drag trying to avoid all of the “fun” foods and drinks in your diet, remember that while it’s best to avoid these foods, a small amount in moderation isn’t going to kill you. If you struggle with making healthy food choices, take a minute to stop before impulse eating and take a look in the mirror. Ask your skin if that extra large side of fries is what you really need right now. Usually the answer is no (sorry stomach, not today)! You will notice, after a few weeks of not consuming them, you won’t be craving sugar and fried foods as often. Remember, your skin is a reflection of your overall body’s health and you’ll only get out, what you put in.

Tune in next time for more tips on how we keep our skin looking good, and feeling great!