Dehydrated skin can feel dry and itchy, and look lacklustre. And when your skin lacks moisture, fine lines can develop or become more evident, and can make you look older and more worn out than you really are. And many times, it’s due to the foods we eat that cause our skin to lose water and elasticity, so dealing with parched skin can be as simple as making some small changes to your diet.
Here are five types of food that are very dehydrating, and how you can work around them without giving them up entirely:
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When we consume sugar, the sugars go through a “glycation” process in our bodies, attaching themselves to proteins to form harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The proteins susceptible to damage by these AGEs are commonly collagen and elastin, resulting in the appearance of sagging skin or wrinkles. So really, spending thousands of dollars on anti-aging products won’t give you the results you want if your diet is high in sugar. Sugars are found in lots of simple carbohydrates, so watch the carbs you eat.
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Our skin depends a lot on hydration in order to stay supple and look young. Caffeine is a diuretic (read: dehydrating), and also fairly acidic, which can affect your hormones and stress levels in your body, as well as your gastro health. When you’re more stressed, your skin is prone to producing more oil – ever get hormonal acne when going through a stressful time?
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We know how bad greasy fried foods are for our heart and cholesterol levels, but do you know just how bad it is for your skin too? Fried food is often laden with oxidised saturated fats, which are not good for you – unlike the “healthy” fats like omega-3s and 6s. Frying food leads to a higher amount of saturated fat that, when consumed, affects your blood circulation which in turn impedes your skin’s ability to receive the nutrients it really needs. This dehydrates your skin, leading to the development of fine lines.
Basically, eat fried foods in moderation, and always drink lots of water afterwards.
A lot of our dairy comes from cows, and one of the main concerns about dairy, at least when it comes to our skin, is the high hormone content in milk – you see, cows are often fed hormones to keep them producing milk all year round. These hormones you inadvertently ingest from dairy products has in turn been linked to acne, excess estrogen, and an increase of mucus in the body – which may have a hand in issues like inflammation and the proliferation of certain types of harmful bacteria.
The solution? Opt for “milk” from other sources like nuts, which are much better for you.
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If you’ve ever taken a look at yourself after a night of drinking and thought you looked like death, you’re not alone. Like coffee, alcohol dehydrates the body, but it also causes a flare-up of inflammation in your body, resulting in visible redness in your skin. The dehydration alone is terrible for your skin, which is the largest organ you have, so if you’re having a drink or two, don’t forget to rehydrate with glasses of water.
Want to know the best foods to eat to boost your bddy’s hydration levels? Read this!
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