Share

Is your diet ageing you?

When it comes to your skin, you really are what you eat.

Studies have shown that eating antioxidant-rich and natural foods such as fruits and vegetables can contribute to a healthy glowing skin, giving you a more youthful, fresh appearance.  

Read: Eat foods that feed your skin

The flip side of this is also true: certain foods can sabotage your skin’s radiance and contribute to spots and patchy skin, generally having an unfavourable reaction which shows in the skin.

Foods to avoid

Alcohol

Apart from the fact that alcohol is a diuretic, which dehydrates the skin and can make wrinkles and lines appear more pronounced, binge-drinking often goes hand-in-hand with hangover-busting junk-food binges, which have an extremely negative effect on the skin.

Sugar
Foods with a high sugar content raise the blood sugar levels which in turn can weaken the skin by affecting collagen, leading to wrinkles.

Salt
Foods high in salt can cause water retention, making the skin appear dry and puffy.

High GI foods
A diet high in starchy foods such as white breads, pastas and cakes causes blood-sugar spikes and has been linked to acne.

Amy Froneman (ACE-certified Personal Trainer, )

Image: Shutterstock

Sources:
Science Daily ;EurekAlert

*The content in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE