We’ve all heard the old adage; you are what you
eat! It’s true, what you consume effects both your vital inner organs, the
efficiency of your digestive system, mental agility, and energy levels, as well
as your outward appearance. Weight, visual age and the condition of your
skin are all impacted by the foods you regularly consume.
For instance, if your diet is poor, you use
nicotine, consume excess amounts of caffeine or alcohol, you will likely appear
older than your actual age. That’s why we’ve decided to call out the worst
foods for your skin. We’re not saying to cut them out completely, but if you
reserve them only for special occasions, your skin will thank you.
Here are the top ten foods to avoid help prevent
signs of premature aging.
1. Nitrates
Nitrates are a color and food preservative
contained in processed meats, such as deli meats and cheeses, bacon, sausage,
and hot dogs. Unfortunately, while nitrites prevent salmonella and other
harmful bacteria from residing in cured meats, they also form nitrosamines (cancer-causing
chemicals) when you consume too many. That’s why it’s important to stay
away from processed meat or buy organic whenever the option allows.
2. Refined Sugars
While we love to occasionally indulge in
chocolate, candy, cookies and baked treats, they don’t love our skin. The high
levels of refined sugar contained within these tempting goodies are actually
linked to weakening the immune system, causing skin to become dull, thin, and
parched. They also rob the body of the collagen and elastin production needed
to keep us looking radiant and youthful.
3. Saturated Animal Fats
Saturated animal fats can be found in the fat or
skin on meats and even in your favorite cheese. Meats like pork and chicken, as
well as high fat dairy products like milk and cream, are the worst culprits.
Not only do saturated fats potentially harm your heart health, they cause
unsightly blemishes on your skin such as blackheads and pimples.
4. Hydrogenated Oil
As delicious as they are, french fries, chicken
wings, deep fried bar bites, and chicken fingers and the worst for you. Food
that are fried in hydrogenated oils will not only increase your risk of heart
disease if you consume them too frequently, they can also increase oil
buildup on the surface of your skin. Instead of smearing your bagel with
margarine, consider instead, a natural nut butter (like almond butter) and stay
away from donuts in favor of a toasted whole wheat English muffin. You will
greatly reduce the bacteria that can get trapped on your skin leading to
breakouts.
5. Soda
If you’re addicted to the sugar rush, or the
effervescence of soda, you’re not only potentially damaging your oral health
and leaving your teeth prone to cavities; you are rising your risk of type 2
diabetes. Soda also causes your skin to become dry, dull and flaky, since you’re
replacing it for water. And while diet sodas may not contain as much sugar content,
they aren’t any better for your health. Artificial sweeteners contain just as
much moisture stripping caffeine, artificial colors, and flavor
chemicals.
6. Caffeine
Coffee… our morning comfort. Now, there’s a
big difference between having a cup of coffee in the morning and having a whole
pot. Caffeine is a diuretic, which not only dehydrates your body, it also
dries out your skin and increases cortisol production, a type of stress hormone
that’s linked to accelerated aging.
7. Olestra
Baked versus fried snacks? Baked potato
chips aren’t any better if you expect to have glowing skin. Why? These low-fat
baked snacks contain a synthetic fat, Olestra. Olestra strips the body of
essential fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K and carotenoids, or antioxidants,
causing damage to our digestive systems, aging the skin, and even leaving the
skin’s surface prone to lesions and blemishes.
