Pick up any sort of beauty magazine, from Men’s Health to Self, and it will probably say that food can affect outward appearance – not just by causing weight gain from eating too much, but by actually changing the chemicals and proteins in skin.
Of course there's the old adage that chocolate and sugar – and really just about any junk food – can cause an acne breakout. Many people have even experienced it first-hand.
Food and Skin Health
According to Diana Schwarzbein, MD, author of The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth about Losing Weight, Being Healthy and Feeling Younger, it’s true that these junk foods can clog pores leading to blemished skin.
High carbohydrate consumption stimulates insulin production,” Schwarzbein says. And high insulin levels can lead to breakouts, which is why men and women of all ages report acne problems – and not just teenagers.
Consuming large amounts of carbohydrate, causes insulin levels and oil production to increase, which makes pores clog. To avoid the possibility of food-induced acne, a good start would be to avoid lots of carbs – but that’s not all.
Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at New York University says all sorts of fresh produce are great for the diet. Fruits and vegetables contain the antioxidant lycopene, which can reduce cell damage, making skin appear healthier. According to Heller, the best sources of lycopene are tomatoes, guava and watermelon. All types of berries are also a great source for the antioxidants skin needs.
In addition to eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and other natural foods, drinking the FDA-recommended eight glasses of water – or 64 ounces – each day helps keep skin hydrated and your complexion clear.
Some health gurus believe that water is nature’s miracle and fruit is nature’s candy – and there may be a lot of truth to that. Many nutritionists and doctors agree that natural foods are always best – and of course water is one of the most important parts of any diet.
Food as Skin Care Products
While actual diet can affect change in the way skin looks and feels, there are also skin care products for sale at the drug store that use foods as ingredients.
Nancy Reyzer, a staff nurse at the University of Wisconsin’s Dermatology Clinic says the clinic deals with several patients who have very dry skin. “Aveeno products work very well. Oatmeal is know to help with good skin care by preventing itching and dryness,” Reyzer said in an interview.
While a change in diet can help beautify skin, certain foods can be used as ingredients for homemade hair care products. Hair is made up of protein, so if a diet is rich in protein, hair is less likely to be unhealthy or damaged. Schwarzbein says if the body doesn’t receive sufficient nutrients from food, it uses its own protein to get by, sacrificing the proteins that aren’t vitally necessary for survival, including hair. Some good food sources for protein include meat, fish, soy products and cottage cheese.
For different hair problems, there are different home remedies. According to Fat Free Kitchen, everyday ingredients such as olive oil, eggs and honey can help strengthen and beautify hair.
In order to keep skin and hair as healthy as possible, a healthy diet is the best answer. Not only will eating well and drinking plenty of water help clear up a breakout or smooth hair, but it will improve overall health.
Here are some home recipes for hair care to soften and smooth hair (Fat Free Kitchen):
Honey & Olive Oil Hair Mask: Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Apply thoroughly to hair. Cover hair with plastic wrap or a shower cap. After 15 minutes shampoo and rinse well.
For Shine: Beat two eggs in a tablespoon of milk and apply on hair. Rinse hair after 5-7 minutes to get an instant shine.
Dry Hair: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey in a half cup of cream. Massage on the scalp and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash with a mild shampoo.
