Carrots for healthy eyes, healthy snacks, eat an apple, lots of water for a radiant skin and ginger tea to stop that nasty sore throat. From childhood we are taught that healthy food is important for almost everything. We also hear a lot of tips and tricks about the skin, but what is true and what is not?
Medical researcher Selma Mekic from the Department of Dermatology at Erasmus MC conducted research and studied over 2753 Rotterdam 50-plussers. The doctor investigated the relationship between wrinkles and eating habits of both men and women. For this, she used a 3D camera that mapped the depth of the wrinkles. All participants also had to keep a precise record of what they ate and drank.
THE ANSWER
The results of the research were both surprising and confirming. Healthy nutrition does indeed contribute to good skin condition, but not for everyone. In men, no difference was seen. The diet of the participating men in the research said nothing about the amount and depth of the wrinkles.
In women, on the other hand, it is extremely important to eat fruit, vegetables and fish and to watch out for (red) meat, sugars, saturated fats and alcohol. Women with a healthy diet had significantly fewer and less deep wrinkles.
JUST LEAVE THAT WINE
And now for a less pleasant message. You can eat as healthy as you like, but if you regularly drink a glass of wine, all the good effects of healthy food will disappear like snow in the sun. Alcohol nullifies the effect of healthy food when it comes to wrinkle formation.
HEALTHY LIFE, HEALTHY SKIN
This study has shown that healthy food keeps your skin young for longer, provided you do not drink too much alcohol. In addition, healthy food is of course good for the entire body. So look for healthy recipes that you will also enjoy and eat yourself beautiful!
Source:
Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Hamer MA, Ikram MA, Schoufour JD, Gunn DA, Kiefte-de Jong JC, Nijsten T. A healthy diet in women is associated with less facial wrinkles in a large Dutch population-based cohort. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 May;80(5):1358-1363.e2.