Stay away from these 4 foods to prevent wrinkles and acne breakouts

Whatever you eat has a direct impact on your skin. That’s why we suggest avoiding these four foods, so that your skin can have a healthy and youthful glow!

Avoid these foods and your skin will thank you. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Written by: Geetika Sachdev

Updated On: 21 Jan 2021, 05:32 pm IST

You might be a skincare junkie and buy the best products in town, but nothing can replace the effects of good nutrition. Yes, you heard it right. Products can only help your skin at a superficial level—but it is the foods that are packed with collagen and antioxidants that can help your skin look and feel much younger.

And that brings us to a very important question: what are the foods you must avoid if you want great skin? Research reveals that there are some foods that can increase the occurrence of wrinkles, age spots and acne. We’re sure you want to stay away from them as much as possible. Isn’t it?

But before we get to that, let’s first understand how skin and your eating habits are related.

The link between skin and nutrition

It is often said, “you are what you eat”, and this adage applies to your skin too! That’s because what you eat reflects on your skin. It might sound odd but the health of your internal organs, be it the liver or digestive system, that decides how your skin looks.

Your body works very hard to eliminate toxins, but when your liver is unable to filter out these toxins, the skin and other organs step up as ‘backup’. When these toxins are eliminated through the skin, they cause rashes, pimples, blackheads as well as other skin issues.

Everything that you consume either benefits your skin or causes harm. For instance, fruits and vegetables contain vitamins that help to produce collagen. On the other hand, refined sugar can break down collagen, making your skin worse. This process is called glycation, which is said to form molecules that promote ageing.

So now that you know the link, let’s find out about four foods that cause skin issues.

1. Refined carbs

We already know all the junk food that we OD on has no nutritional value, and promotes bad bacteria in your gut. Yes, it’s true. All the sugar that is present in these foods accelerates the production of the bad bacteria, and kills the good bacteria. When there is overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut, it gives rise to several digestive conditions. That then shows up in the form of skin breakouts. If you’ve been binging on foods that are high in refined carbs, swap them with probiotic foods to replenish the good bacteria. Your skin will thank you!

2. Dairy

You might love your dairy, and just the thought of giving up on it might seem scary, but ladies you must! That’s because dairy increases inflammation and can aggravate existing skin conditions, such as acne, rashes, and even eczema.

Lately, dairy has been filled with growth hormones and antibiotics. Unfortunately, these hormones come in the way of your natural hormones. When there is excess production of oestrogen, it causes hormonal cystic acne.

3. Wheat

Sounds odd, right? But it’s true—the wheat that you eat today is said to have a chemical that causes several health problems. Research suggests that dwarf wheat (yes that’s what it’s called) is a genetically engineered version of wheat that is loaded with gluten and phytic acid, which is pretty hard to digest. And when the gut isn’t in the right shape, it obviously wreaks havoc on your skin!

You can replace wheat with amaranth, buckwheat, brown rice or quinoa, all of which contains vitamins and minerals that help promote good skin. In fact, these grains also have a low glycemic index and do not impact your blood sugar levels.

4. Alcohol

You may think drinking a glass of wine every day is relaxing, but your skin does not. Although red wine is a good source of antioxidants, it doesn’t really help when you have acne. What’s more, it can also promote ageing. Why may you ask? That’s because alcohol contains sugar, which raises blood sugar levels and depletes collagen. It also causes dehydration and that means you could end up with dark circles around your eyes!

Take a Poll

So ladies, now that you all know about the foods to avoid, it’s time to take slow and steady steps to good skin!

Get latest updates on health and wellness along with Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Recipes, Superfoods

Disclaimer: At Health Shots, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and authentic information to support your health and well-being. However, the content on this website is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised advice regarding your specific medical condition or concerns.

About The Author

Geetika Sachdev

An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town.