5 foods that slowly destroy your skin — and how to avoid them

Beyond the pleasure it gives, food is supposed to nourish your body and keep your vital organs healthy.

But there are some kinds of food that do not really help your body stay healthy, other than the momentary pleasure they provide for your taste buds.

There are some, in fact, that slowly ruin your organs as you continue to consume them.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It’s also the most visible one.

And it’s so easy to tell when something is wrong with it: acne, hyperpigmentation, rashes, you name it.

With the myriad of skincare products available in the market, you might be tempted to believe that you only need topical formulations to solve any skin issue.

But what goes through your mouth into your body is also powerful in controlling the damage or repair done to your skin.

Not everything you eat is good for your skin; some are the enemy you are fighting within.

Let’s look at five of these common but problematic foods for your skin.

1. White Bread

White bread is characterised as a high glycemic index (GI) food.

When you eat it, it causes quick spikes in your blood sugar levels.

This happens because refined flour makes up white bread, which is rapidly digested and absorbed into the body.

Insulin production then surges as a response to the high blood sugar, and it is known for producing inflammation and excess sebum (oil) in the skin.

The oil can clog pores and trigger acne breakouts.

Apart from acne, high GI foods are also known for their premature ageing properties.

How to Avoid: If you can’t completely cut out white bread from your diet, replace it with wholegrain bread, which is rich in fibre, zinc and vitamins C and E, which help to repair and regenerate your skin.

Whole grains are also digested more slowly and don’t cause quick blood sugar spikes that can trigger acne.

2. French Fries

Typically, a quick meal you can have on the go, French Fries may not be the best food for your skin.

It is made through high-temperature frying in oil, which produces trans fats that can cause inflammation in the body, clog pores, and worsen skin conditions like acne.

The high salt content may also cause dehydration, which can make your skin appear dull and increase your risk of developing wrinkles.

French Fries generally contain a high content of unhealthy fats, salt, and carbohydrates. Even the oil used in frying can release free radicals, which may damage skin cells and speed up ageing.

How to Avoid: Limit your intake of French Fries and other fried foods. Replace cravings with alternatives like baked sweet potato fries or avocado, which has multiple benefits for your skin, including sun damage protection, anti-ageing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Milk Chocolate

You may experience regular breakouts if you are sensitive to the high sugar and dairy content in milk chocolate.

The sugar and dairy can increase sebum production that can potentially clog pores, trigger insulin and androgen hormone fluctuations, which can contribute to acne.

Health Coach Dilshad Yaqubi also says milk chocolate is linked to dry and saggy skin.

How to Avoid: Replace with dark chocolate, which contains flavonoids and magnesium, among other antioxidant compounds that help with improved skin elasticity and overall health.

4. Ice Cream

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, ice cream shouldn’t be your best friend.

The sugar in ice cream is usually too high to not lead to increased insulin levels and inflammation that can trigger the overproduction of oil, clogging pores, and causing breakouts.

It is also known to damage collagen and elastin over time, which are essential proteins your skin needs for a balanced texture, enhanced elasticity, and youthful appearance.

How to Avoid: If you’re craving something sweet, opt for seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, which contain antioxidants and vitamins that are excellent for skin health. They help to protect, repair, and rejuvenate the skin.

5. Coffee

Coffee may not cause harm if you moderately consume it, but excessive intake can slowly destroy your skin.

As a diuretic, coffee leads to increased urination, which can cause dehydration and affect the appearance of your skin, particularly in terms of dryness, flakiness, and wrinkles.

The caffeine in coffee also stimulates the release of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Elevated cortisol levels in your body can:

• Trigger excess oil production leading to breakouts;
• Break down collagen and elastin, reducing your skin’s firmness and elasticity and;
• Worsen inflammation, which can lead to redness and irritation.

It can also affect your skin’s ability to retain moisture, making it appear dull and dry.

How to Avoid: Replace with green tea, which contains less caffeine and antioxidants that help to neutralise free radicals and restore your skin’s healthy appearance.