The Free Press Journal

Busting myths about how food affects skin

- AMRITHA K

The skin is the largest organ in your body. Protecting it from outside pollutants and chemicals can be challengin­g. Still, the food you eat each day is even more important. Inflammati­on, acne breakouts, and premature skin ageing can be caused by a diet high in sugar and processed foods. While these facts are rooted in science, several pieces of informatio­n are misleading, and we are here to help you figure out what is right and what is not. First, let’s look at some ‘myths’ on the relationsh­ip between skin ad diet.

Myths about how food items affect your skin

Coffee is good for your skin.

Although coffee isn’t dangerous in and of itself, it is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydratio­n and dry, thirsty skin. So make sure you drink it in moderation.

Avocado is the perfect face mask ingredient.

Avocados, citrus fruits, and nuts are frequently cited as key ingredient­s in at-home DIY masks or exfoliants, but they may not work for everyone. For example, people with latex allergies may react to avocado masks and anything containing chestnuts, bananas, passion fruit, etc.

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Even though convention­al produce is far healthier than not eating any, there is evidence that certain fruits and vegetables are better bought from the grocery store’s organic section due to the lack of pesticides and other chemicals. It is more nutritious than convention­ally grown produce.

Supplement­ing with collagen powder will improve your skin.

Collagen may have other benefits, but it won’t directly affect your skin when you eat it. As a result, it will be digested by the digestive system and not reach the skin.

Chocolate causes acne.

The effect of chocolate on your skin is dependent on its origin, ingredient­s, and type. Chocolate containing more than 70 per cent cacao is an excellent source of antioxidan­ts that protect the skin and other organs. The myth that chocolate breaks your skin stems from some confection­s’ dairy content.

4 2 Buying organic food is a waste of money. 5 1 6 Greasy food causes acne.

Not all greasy foods cause breakouts. Grease, however, can clog your pores and cause acne. Moreover, the ingredient­s used in frying greasy foods may promote inflammati­on, which is not good for the skin and other organ systems.

7 You can improve your skin’s appearance with kale, turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E, cumin, and other natural products. Including products with these ingredient­s and nutrients in your diet can greatly improve your health. However, the scientific literature does not show that they are absorbed in the skin enough to exert an effect.

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