Some people are willing to spend a fortune for skin creams that promise to rejuvenate aging skin, but give little thought to the role that diet plays. Just as there are foods that enhance skin health, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, there are ones that can harm skin and increase the risk of skin laxity and wrinkling. Isn't it time to take a closer look at the foods you're eating? Here are some dietary habits that can harm skin health.

    Eating High Carb, Processed Foods

    High carb, processed foods such as white bread, white potatoes, white rice, and sugary desserts not only destroy the waistline, but also harm the skin. A carb rich diet causes rapid elevation of blood sugars which promotes glycation where sugar molecules bind to a protein such as skin collagen and damage it. When skin collagen is damaged, it leads to skin wrinkles and sagging. How to prevent this undesirable sequence of events? Substitute processed carbs with whole grains whenever possible.

    Drinking Alcohol

    Alcohol harms skin in a variety of ways. By dilating blood vessels, it aggravates the condition known as rosacea, causing worsening of the characteristic redness and flushing. Alcohol is also associated with the formation of telangiectasias – those ugly, red spider veins that form on the face and body. Alcohol is dehydrating to the skin, leading to excess moisture loss which can increase skin dryness. It also increases inflammation which can damage collagen and elastin leading to skin wrinkling and sagging.

    Excessive Salt

    Too much salt in the diet harms skin appearance in the short term by causing undereye puffiness and swelling, as fluid collects in the tissues around the eyes and face. Reducing sodium in the diet and getting more potassium rich foods can help to reduce puffy eyes. Drinking more water also helps to flush out excess sodium.

    Not Choosing Protein Wisely

    A diet rich in red meat induces inflammation which can be damaging to skin collagen. Eating fatty fish high in omega-3's has the opposite effect. Omega-3's are believed to be anti-inflammatory and healthy for the skin. Wild Alaskan salmon is a good choice since it's high in DMAE, a compound that some studies show can reduce the signs of skin aging.

    Not Getting Enough Fat

    Too much of the wrong kinds of fat in the diet can clog the arteries, but too little can lead to skin that appears older. A study showed that animals that were given a diet without essential fatty acids developed skin dryness and signs of aging skin. The key is to add the right kinds of fats – polyunsaturated ones – particularly the omega-3's.

    The Bottom Line

    Processed foods, a diet high in red meat and processed carbs, excessive salt and alcohol use, are all dietary habits that can lead to skin problems and premature aging. Avoid these dietary demons as much as possible for more beautiful skin.

    一些人宁愿花大量的金钱在那些所谓可以让肌肤重新年轻的护肤品上，也不愿意多花一点时间来关注他们的日常饮食。就像一些食物可以增强皮肤健康，如新鲜的水果和蔬菜，相对的也会存在一些食物，可以伤害和增加肌肤老化，让皮肤松弛和产生皱纹。从来没有关注过你的日常饮食？一些饮食习惯会伤害你的肌肤。

    吃高碳水化合物，精加工过的食物

    高碳水化合物，精加工过的食物，如白面包，白土豆，白米和含糖的甜食，不仅能增加你的腰围，还可毁坏你的肌肤。一顿含丰富碳水化合物的大餐，可以让你的血糖水平快速上升，那会促进糖分子和蛋白质，像皮肤必须的胶原所结合，从而毁坏皮肤。当皮肤中的胶原被破坏，将会让皮肤松弛和下垂。如何才能防止这种不受人欢迎的事件发生？那就用全谷物食物替代精加工过的食物吧。

    喝酒

    酒精可以用各种方法伤害皮肤。酒精可以扩张管血管，从而加剧皮肤状况产生酒渣鼻，更坏的情况会让皮肤发红和产生红脸。酒精可以让毛细血管扩张，进而在身体和脸上产生难看的红色蜘蛛痣。酒精可以让皮肤脱水，导致皮肤加剧失水，而让皮肤更加的干燥。酒精还可以加重炎症，从而破坏皮肤胶原和胶原蛋白，同样会让皮肤产生松弛下垂。

    过的的摄取盐分

    含盐量高的日常饮食对皮肤的伤害可以在很短的时间内显现出来，它会造成浮肿和眼袋，因为它可以让液体在眼睛周围和面部聚集。减少含钠元素的饮食而增加含钾元素的饮食可以减轻眼袋。多喝水同样可以帮助人体排出多余的钠元素。

    不要自认为聪明的选择蛋白质食物

    含有红肉的日常饮食可以加剧炎症而破坏皮肤胶原，吃含有高欧米咖-3的鱼类脂肪却会产生相反的效果，欧米咖-3被认为是可以消炎的食物，对皮肤是健康的。野生的阿拉斯加鲑鱼是不错的选择，因为它含有高DMAE.一种在研究中被发现可以减少皮肤岁月痕迹的化合物。

    不要吃太多的脂肪

    在日常饮食中加入太多的不健康脂肪会产生动脉栓塞，但是吃太少的话会让皮肤显现老化。一项研究表明，在给动物的饮食中没有加入必须的脂肪酸，结果导致动物的皮毛干枯和出现皮肤老化的迹象。关键是加入正确的脂肪种类，多重不饱和的脂肪酸，特别是欧米咖-3.

    小结

    精加工的食物，含有红肉，高碳水化合物，过多的盐分和酒精的使用，这些饮食习惯会造成皮肤问题和过早的产生衰老。在日常饮食中越多的避免食用这些有害物质，就会让我们的皮肤越漂亮。