We love to eat, and we want it to be delicious. And of course, healthy. Yes, thankfully, awareness of healthy eating has grown considerably. While sweets used to be a common sight here in the 48grams office, today we have fresh fruit or natural yogurt. Because we, too, are convinced that a balanced diet leads to radiant and healthy skin. But not everything that's labeled "healthy" is actually beneficial for facial skin. Even we, the blog's editorial team, were surprised by some of this.
Delicious, yet so harmful
That sugary foods aren't ideal will hardly come as a surprise. Sugar doesn't just cause cavities; this sweet addictive substance also has demonstrably harmful effects on tissue. Now for the scientific details: The process of glycation impairs skin elasticity and causes wrinkles to form much faster or earlier. High sugar consumption also promotes inflammation in the body – which then manifests itself visibly and unpleasantly as redness and acne. There are no excuses here: The link between sugar and skin problems is well-documented. Anyone who consults their dermatologist will be advised to reduce their consumption. This almost automatically leads to an improvement in the complexion.
Milk doesn't make it any better.
Another food group that often has unpleasant effects on skin is dairy products. The saying goes, "Milk does wonders"—an advertising slogan that primarily refers to its high calcium content. However, milk, or rather products with a high dairy content, can also cause acne. This is because the hormones it contains—as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)—stimulate the sebaceous glands and clog pores. We've read several studies: There are numerous reports, especially among teenagers and young adults, that the skin's appearance worsens with frequent consumption of dairy products. The conclusion, which applies to all of us: Simply consume less milk in your coffee or cheese—your complexion will thank you.
The truth about meat consumption
Let's move on to a topic that will surely applaud vegans: meat is bad, at least in its highly processed form today. These products often contain high amounts of saturated fats and preservatives. And both are known to promote inflammation. Again, a quick look at one of the many studies on this topic is helpful: inflammatory processes in the body lead to skin problems. Acne and rosacea are a common consequence. Furthermore, the nitrites and nitrates they contain accelerate skin aging; fine lines and wrinkles appear earlier and often become deeper.
The deep-fried poison
Speaking of processed meats… the leap to fried foods isn't a big one. What (sometimes) tastes so delicious contains trans fats and saturated fats. That alone should be warning enough, as these "toxins" even endanger general health – but the negative effects on the skin aren't insignificant either. Fried foods promote inflammation and lead to a dull complexion. The body has to work hard to process these fats, which then impairs other functions. Last but not least… trans fats contribute to the formation of free radicals. And these are known to accelerate the skin's aging process.
When digestion is causing problems
Even if we sound like real killjoys in this blog post… these are the truths about the connection between nutrition and food. So, let's move on to gluten-containing products. We don't even want to delve deeper into topics like gluten intolerance and celiac disease here. It's enough to know that wheat and rye can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract – which then manifests as pimples on the skin. Symptoms like eczema or rashes are also common accompanying symptoms of an intolerance.
The stress in the face
Finally, a word about caffeinated drinks – especially sodas and energy drinks. These beverages not only contain high amounts of sugar – as everyone knows by now – but they also have a high caffeine content. And caffeine has a dehydrating effect. The result: Insufficient hydration directly impacts the appearance of the skin; it becomes dry and loses its elasticity. Furthermore, caffeine increases cortisol levels in the body. This, in turn, triggers stress reactions. And once again, this reaction manifests itself on our faces – in the form of pimples and redness.
No prohibition on enjoyment, but a recommendation for enjoyment.
We're (at least a little) sorry: This article might seem more like a prohibition against indulgence. But that's not the intention. Because the principle still holds true: the dose makes the poison. We can't and shouldn't deprive ourselves of everything. A sweet treat here and there, a bite at the chip shop, a piece of meat, or even a good natural yogurt – all of that is possible. Just in moderation. That way we'll stay healthy – and our skin will continue to glow.
