how your eating habits affect your skin

We often think about the apparent effects of good nutrition: weight loss, cognitive improvements, having more energy, and such.
 
But, as the old saying goes, "You are what you eat." Sure, it sounds like a cliché, but it's true.
 
In this post, we'll outline how your eating habits affect your skin health.

​Nutrition And The Aging Process
 
Sadly, we can't stop or reverse aging. But, with the right nutritional choices, we can slow down the process. For example, vitamin A is a vital nutrient that plays an essential role in maintaining healthy skin. Some notable effects include reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and improvements of skin tone and smoothness.
 
Vitamin C is another vital nutrient. It appears to play an essential role in wrinkle prevention. It also seems to reduce age-related thinness and dryness.
 
Collagen - the most abundant protein within the body - also plays a vital role in skin health. As we age, we often become deficient in it, and it shows. So, by consuming more of it through food, we can improve our skin's overall health and elasticity.
 
How Do Eating Habits Affect Different Skin Problems
 
We all know just how debilitating some skin problems can be. For example, acne is a skin issue that plagues millions of people worldwide.
 
The good news is, our eating habits might play a role in fixing various skin issues. For example, improving our nutrition and reducing the consumption of processed and sugary foods can reduce acne.
 
Vitamins D and E can help reduce skin inflammation and rashes. A higher intake of vitamin C can help with wound healing. Vitamin A appears to be incredibly beneficial in Psoriasis treatment - a skin disorder that results in red patches, often covered with white scales.
 
Can Our Diet Offer Sun Protection?
 
Let's face it:
 
Sunbathing can be pleasurable, but it can also lead to various skin problems. What's more, too much exposure to the sun's UV light can lead to photoaging (skin aging due to sunlight).
 
Interestingly enough, certain nutrients offer sun protection. Specifically, vitamins C and E seem to provide some sun protection. Zinc and selenium are two minerals that also appear to help in that regard. 
 
Striving to keep a healthier diet can help with the overall skin tone and elasticity.
 
Conclusion
 
While often overlooked, our eating habits play a vital role in our overall health. According to research, our food choices can also drastically impact our skin health and the aging process.