7 Foods That Are Ruining Your Skin
Keeping your skin fresh and healthy gets increasingly harder with age. Make sure your diet isn’t making things worse! Here are seven foods that promote an unhealthy complexion.
Soda
Soda pop and other high-sugar beverages can damage the formation of collagen, the connective tissue that help keeps skin firm — another reason to stick to calorie-free bevies like water, seltzer and unsweetened tea.
Alcohol
The diuretic effect of alcohol can wreak havoc on your skin, sucking out the moisture and contributing to a sunken and washed-out look. Booze doesn’t need to be completely off-limits, but be sure to enjoy in moderation. Counteract the effects by taking in extra fluids when you do tip a few back.
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Candy
It’s no secret that candy is no good for your waistline, but all of those processed sugars can also damage your skin by promoting inflammation.
Fried Foods
Fried foods can lead to bad skin, but it’s not from rubbing greasy fingers on your face (though that probably won’t help). Eating too many high-fat foods can have a negative effect internally on circulation. This can cause that skin puffiness that no one appreciates when looking in the mirror.
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White Bread
Some research suggests that foods with a high glycemic index (GI) can be bad news for your skin. Eating high GI foods like white bread and other highly processed carbs causes a drastic spike in blood sugar and insulin, which has been linked to acne.
Salty Snacks
Chips, high-sodium dip and condiments can quickly jack up your salt intake for the day. This kind of salt consumption leads to water retention that you can feel all over, including under your skin.
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Mayonnaise
Foods high in Omega-6-rich oils like mayo and some salad dressings can stimulate inflammatory processes, making skin less than stellar. Many of these plant-based oils (like soybean, corn and safflower oils) are good for you in moderation. For best results, eat Omega-6 fats in combination with inflammation-fighting Omega-3s from foods like salmon and tuna.
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Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.
