An Apple a Day Keeps a Dull Skin Away

Nutrition and Skin: What Does Science Say?

Recently, an intriguing review article was published in the scientific journal Nutrition, titled Diet and Skin Health: The Good and the Bad. This article explores the crucial role of nutrition in maintaining healthy skin and how specific dietary habits can both positively and negatively influence the health of our largest organ: the skin.
Here, we’re sharing the key insights from this review to help you gain more knowledge for radiant skin!

The Crucial Role of Nutrition for Skin Health
The review highlights that the skin not only serves as a protective barrier against harmful influences such as bacteria, UV radiation, and chemicals, but also participates in numerous physiological processes. These include regulating body temperature, synthesizing vitamin D, and supporting immune surveillance. As we age, face diseases, or are exposed to harmful environmental factors, the function and structure of the skin change drastically. This is why strategies for treating and preventing skin aging—such as cosmetic treatments and physical protection against sunlight—are becoming increasingly important.
However, growing attention is being paid to the role of nutrition in skin health. This review emphasizes that certain foods can serve as an effective and natural way to alleviate and prevent signs of skin aging. But how does this work exactly?

How an Unhealthy Diet Harms Your Skin
The authors of the review article stress the harmful effects of an unhealthy diet on the skin. Dietary habits such as insufficient water intake, high-fat and high-sugar diets, and consuming certain food additives can lead to skin problems. These unhealthy habits disrupt the skin’s balance, making it more prone to aging, loss of elasticity, and inflammation. Your diet directly impacts your skin's condition and appearance.

Healthy Eating Habits for Radiant Skin
Fortunately, the opposite is also true: healthy dietary habits can greatly benefit your skin. The review emphasizes that a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, healthy fats, and vitamins has a positive impact on the skin. These nutrients help fight skin aging, maintain elasticity, and protect the skin from harmful influences such as UV radiation and pollution.
Key foods that can help maintain healthy skin include:
• Antioxidants: Found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, they protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.
• Healthy Fats: Present in nuts, seeds, and fish, they hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation.
• Probiotics and Phytochemicals: Often found in fermented foods, they protect the skin and support a healthy skin structure.

Conclusion: Nutrition as the Key to Healthy Skin
The Nutrition review underscores that aging, diseases, and environmental factors greatly affect your skin, but healthy nutrition is equally important in maintaining radiant skin. Eating patterns rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, water, and fiber not only help keep your skin healthy but also contribute to your body’s overall health.
So the next time you’re concerned about your skin, ask yourself: what have I eaten? Because beautiful skin starts with a healthy plate!
For more information, we recommend reading the full review article in Nutrition for additional insights you can apply to achieve radiant skin.

Reference
Diet and Skin Health: The Good and the Bad. Review Nutrition. 2024 Mar:119:112350. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2023.112350. Published online 2024 Jan 2.
Authors: Idris Adewale Ahmed, Ph.D., Maryam Abimbola Mikail, Ph.D.
• Affiliations:
a. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science, Lincoln University College, Malaysia
b. Mimia Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
Nutrition is an international scientific journal focusing on advancements in nutrition research and clinical nutrition practices to improve human health.

What is a Scientific Review?
A scientific review is a comprehensive article summarizing, analyzing, and evaluating existing research and literature on a specific topic. Its purpose is to summarize the current state of a field, identify trends and research gaps, and help interpret existing knowledge. Unlike original studies, a review does not contain new experimental data but instead provides a critical analysis of previously published studies.