Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so it's no wonder that the food you fuel your body with will have an impact on your skin. Those who are suffering from conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis may find that changing their diet to a plant-based one could help clear up their skin conditions (as well as helping them overcome a host of other health concerns, as well!). If you've been struggling with your skin, it's time to explore your options and see if a change in your diet could create a positive change in your skin.
Why Does What You Eat Affect Your Skin?
The truth is we're not entirely sure, but there certainly seems to be a link. There are numerous studies about why food effects skin, but right now, there is no definitive answer but the theories are interesting. One researcher, Loren Cordain, who discussed his findings in an NBCNews.com article, theorized that refined carbohydrates could be to blame. His study looked at the skin and the diet of "1,200 Kitavan Islanders from Papua New Guinea...and 115 Ache hunter-gatherers of Paraguay." The researchers didn't come across a single case of acne in the group, which is startling as almost 90% of American teenagers will experience the skin condition and those in middle age are often no strangers to the condition, either. So why did the study group have such clear and healthy skin?
The researchers think it's because the group rarely ate refined carbohydrates, such as the ones found in bread. The article stated:
"A steady diet of such foods can trigger a 'hormonal cascade' that leads to acne, according to Cordain's theory. High blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to pump out more insulin, which triggers the release of male hormones and growth factors. In the end, Cordain says, more oil is produced and more skin cells slough off, clogging pores."
All of which leads to acne.
But what about other conditions like psoriasis and eczema? It's unlikely that food actually causes these skin conditions, but it's very likely that what you eat could exacerbate an existing condition and cause it to flare up. Issues like these are inflammatory conditions; that means that any inflammation could lead to the condition becoming worse. There are some foods that can cause inflammation within your body. If you have a food allergy or a sensitivity to certain foods, it can cause these skin conditions to worsen. Foods that are commonly linked to worsening eczema include eggs, cow's milk, fish, and shellfish; all animal-based products.
Eating healthy can help your skin continue to look younger, too. A healthy diet can provide your body with antioxidants and hydration to help fight off wrinkles.
What to Eat For Healthier Skin
Want to help your skin stay healthy and wrinkle-free? Try adding more of these foods to your diet.
- Fruits and vegetables. Upping your consumption of fruits and veggies on a daily basis can increase the amount of Vitamins A & C that you are getting, both of which are vital to creating healthy skin and keeping your collagen levels high. They'll also provide you with the right kind of carbohydrates instead of the ones that you get from processed foods like bread. Good carbs can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, which helps regulate the insulin in your body naturally, which prevents a process that causes acne from occurring.
- Nuts and seeds. Your skin needs healthy fats to look its best. Those healthy fats help the skin retain moisture, which helps it look plump and eliminate wrinkles. Nuts and seeds are also packed with antioxidants, which is something else your skin needs to stay healthy and fight off free radicals.
- Green tea. Staying hydrated is an absolute must for your skin. If your skin starts to get dry, it can lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and cause flare-ups of other skin conditions. Green tea seems to be an especially good drink for skin, though. The antioxidants in the drink help to keep blood flowing to the surface of the skin, providing it with much-needed nutrients.
What Not to Eat
If you are trying to give your skin what it needs to stay healthy, happy, and free from blemishes or other conditions, then it's time to cut these out of your diet.
- Caffeine. You might love your daily cup of joe, but your skin doesn't. Caffeine can cause your body to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to skin issues such as wrinkles, thinning the skin, and causing the aging process to speed up. Caffeine can also cause you to lose hydration, something your skin desperately needs.
- Dairy. It's not so much your milk as what's in it that's the problem. Growth hormones fed to cows can come through in their milk. Those hormones can cause blood sugar levels to spike as well as cause an increase of oil production in the skin and more inflammation throughout the body. All of that spells trouble for the skin.
- Sugar. Sugar can cause the collagen in your skin to start to break down, making it lose its elasticity and firmness. That can ultimately lead to wrinkles. Refined sugars have no nutritional value to your body and some of the sweeteners that are common in candies, soda, and other sweet treats can remain in our tissues long after we digest the item, which is bad news for skin. Sugar can also cause inflammation in the body, which can cause flare-ups of skin conditions as well as more bacteria that can trigger breakouts.
Making it Easy to Eat for Healthier Skin
Now that you know how food affects your skin, what to eat, and what you should avoid, it's time to make some dietary changed that can help you provide the nutrients that your body needs to create healthy, beautiful skin. Our plant-based meal delivery service provides you with flash-frozen meals packed with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are not only great for your skin but great for the rest of your body as well. Moving to a plant-based diet can help you clear up skin issues along with a whole host of other health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. If you'd like to see what a plant-based diet can do for your skin and the rest of your body, place an order for one of our meal packs today! Try ten of our meals and see if it makes a difference in how you feel and the appearance of your skin. What have you got to lose, except problematic skin?
With thirty entrees to choose from, PlantPure meals are the most convenient, healthy and inexpensive delivered foods available on-line! Our meals have no added oils and are priced lower than most fast foods. Order today at: PlantPureNation.com/collections/Foods