You’ve heard the expression “you are what you eat,” but a more accurate version would read, “your skin is what you eat.” Even though there’s a big focus on skincare products, ingredients, and procedures that can give you healthy, smooth, and younger-looking skin, it’s important not to neglect the basics: a good diet.
While you’re loading up on more veggies and fruits and drinking plenty of water, it’s also worth staying away from some of the most notoriously “bad for your skin” foods. Enjoying these in moderation is one thing, but making them a major part of your daily diet can negatively impact your skin.
Here are five foods that are among the worst when it comes to boosting collagen growth, which is responsible for keeping your skin supple and youthful.
Donuts
Donuts can contribute to glycation in the body because they are very high in sugar and contain practically zero fiber. This, plus the fact that donuts are fried, also contributes to advanced glycation. Glycation is a bio-marker found in aging and the development or worsening of diseases like diabetes and kidney disease, so eating fewer donuts won’t just make your skin look better, it can help keep your health in check.
White Bread
White bread is a refined carbohydrate that contains almost no fiber. It has been stripped away of a lot of nutrients and you’re missing out on vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating a lot of white bread can lead to a spike in blood sugar and can negatively impact collagen.
Barbecue Sauce
Putting barbecue sauce on meat and then cooking the meat on high heat (or smoking it) amplifies the content of advanced glycation end products. BBQ also contains a lot of sugar that can spike your blood sugar levels.
Alcoholic Beverages
Having a drink now and then when you’re in a celebratory mood is one thing — drinking several sugary cocktails often is another. Alcohol, on its own, is dehydrating, inflammatory, and not good for the health of your skin, according to Dr. Dray. Add a sugary mixture such as fruit juice and you’re increasing the chances of glycation.
Sugary Soft Drinks
Although studies are mixes on how artificial sweeteners like those found in diet soda affect your skin, there’s no doubt that traditional sugary soft drinks are bad news for your complexion and can cause negative health impacts. To boot: there are NO benefits from in sugar-laden sodas — so you are adding something potentially harmful to your body and not getting anything out in return.
If healthy skin is a goal for you this year, try cutting back on these foods, which aren't doing your collagen production any favors.
