Beauty

The 3 Beverage Villains Aging Your Skin

An expert has revealed three types of beverages that may be aging your skin. Worse still, you're likely enjoying all three on a daily basis.

Administrator

10 July, 2024

Renowned American neuroscientist, Robert Love, shares insights on preventing Alzheimer’s through science: “The third one was a real surprise to me as it’s so good for your health”.

Fortunately, the expert also shares ways to enjoy the last beverage on this list without compromising skin appearance.

1. Alcohol

While occasional studies link moderate alcohol consumption to certain health benefits, the long-term effects of alcohol on your body are generally detrimental.

According to Robert Love: “Alcohol ages your skin because it has dehydrating properties. It dehydrates the body, thereby dehydrating the skin and potentially making you look older.”

Alcohol also ages the brain and body. It is harmful to the gut and definitely detrimental to the liver. Moreover, it weakens the brain-gut connection and directly impacts your brain and sleep.

All of these make alcohol extremely damaging to your skin and overall health.

2. Coffee

While coffee boasts promising health benefits, including positives for the brain and gut bacteria, caffeine is a diuretic.

Says Robert Love: “This means it dehydrates you. So, caffeine can dehydrate the body, dehydrate the skin, and make you look older.”

However, if you enjoy coffee or coffee-based beverages—many of which are excellent for brain and body—ensure you hydrate adequately. This can ensure that caffeine is not only good for your health but also enhances the appearance of your skin.

3. Soda

It’s no surprise that this popular drink, loaded with sugar, can spike your blood glucose levels.

Robert Love explains that this can increase inflammation, a primary cause of aging and skin aging.

Frequently asked questions

The three beverage villains that can accelerate skin aging are sugar, alcohol, and coffee. Sugar and alcohol can cause inflammation and damage collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Coffee, when consumed in excess, can dehydrate the body and skin, making the skin look dull and tired.

Sugar can cause advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to form in the body, which damage collagen and elastin fibers. These fibers are essential for maintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Sugar also triggers inflammation, which can break down the skin’s supportive structures.

Alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which affects the skin’s moisture levels. It also impairs the body’s ability to absorb vital vitamins and minerals, many of which are essential for skin health. Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, contributing to redness and rosacea. Additionally, it can damage collagen and elastin, leading to premature aging.

Excessive coffee consumption can cause dehydration, making the skin look dry and dull. Coffee is also known to increase cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can break down collagen and contribute to skin aging. However, when consumed in moderation, coffee has antioxidants that can provide some benefits to the skin.

Yes, it is important to maintain a balanced and moderate approach. Limit your intake of sugary drinks and opt for natural sweeteners like stevia or honey. When consuming alcohol, ensure proper hydration by drinking water alongside. For coffee, consider setting a limit for daily consumption and opt for lower-acid coffee beans, which can reduce the impact on cortisol levels.