Clear Skin Diet: Beverages
So we know that certain foods can contribute to acne by decreasing sebum metabolism, while others rich in antioxidants can help protect against it…but what about beverages? Time to some up some of my recent blogs on what you should and should not be drinking. Keep in mind that moderation is the key, you don’t necessarily need to cut anything off from your diet entirely.
What helps for clear skin:
The two main drinks that are most beneficial for your skin are water and green tea. Water is the easy one. Drinking at least 8 glasses every day keeps your skin cells hydrated, strong and supple. Water also helps flush out those toxins and bacteria than can lead to acne. Green Tea takes a little more work, since it’s best when freshly brewed (pre-made green tea contains added sugar and preservatives that neutralize many of the benefits). However, the extra work is worth it. Green Tea is one of the healthiest things you can drink for your skin. It’s loaded with antioxidants, reduces inflammation, and can even lessen the effect of hormonal shifts.
What to avoid:
The main drinks you want to limit are our favorite addictions, alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol has the effect of sapping water from your skin cells, leaving your skin dry and vulnerable, and your blood cells dilated (thus the red flushing of the skin many notice when drinking). Its high sugar-yeast content also sets the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Caffeine is a stimulant that also poses many risks to acne sufferers. Caffeine artificially increases the production of stress hormones (that means your Coenzyme-A is being used to produce more hormones instead of metabolize sebum), negatively effects liver detoxification, and reduces your absorbance of healthy nutrients. Use moderation when it comes to these beverages if you’re having trouble with acne.
