5 savvy drinks swaps to supercharge your skin
Published on: 12/10/2018We all know that diet can affect our skin – good and bad. A varied, vitamin-rich variety of foods are key for healthy, glowing skin – but what about the nutrients we drink? Often we consume empty calories, high amounts of sugars and a host of hidden toxins thanks to less than healthy hydration. So what affect can this have on our skin?
Caffeinated, sugar-loaded and sweetened drinks can play havoc with our skin
Often we tend to focus on the added nasties concealed in our favourite foods – but have you ever stopped to think about the effect your favourite drinks could have on your skin? Sadly many popular choices such as cola, coffee and alcohol can wreak havoc for our complexion – causing congestion, break-outs, dryness and premature ageing. Mostly these unpleasant side effects are caused by caffeine (and the ensuing dehydration), but they are also catalysed by toxins present in sugar, sweeteners, preservatives and flavourings.
The best way to avoid these ugly consequences is to avoid these beverages completely. But sticking to water all the time can quickly get boring – and when temptation takes over we reach for the soda anyway. Luckily smart swap-outs can make drinking for better skin much easier – and more enjoyable!
Swap white wine, rose and champagne for red wine
Whilst you may love to have a tipple or two with dinner or in the evening, your body (and skin) almost certainly won’t love you for it. Alcohol is high in sugars – the perils of which we’ve explained at length above. But it can also cause dehydration, which stops skin from functioning properly. We recommend cutting down alcohol intake entirely from once a night to once a week at most, but if you absolutely must have a glass with dinner make it red, not white or rose. Red wine is packed with skin loving antioxidants called polyphenols, which neutralise free radicals and protect against skin cell damage. If you don’t drink alcohol, you can switch from alcohol-free white wines and champagnes to antioxidant rich pomegranate juice for a delicious vitamin hit.
Swap soda for green tea or sparkling fruit juice
Sodas are packed with refined sugar – up to 40g per serving! Sugar has been shown in studies to cause widespread inflammation thanks to the insulin spike it produces – in turn releasing enzymes that break down collagen and elastin in the skin, the two important structural elements that keep it strong and supple. If you drink soda regularly, even as little as once a week, your skin is likely to age prematurely and show signs such as wrinkling and sagging much sooner. So go for the diet version, right? Not necessarily. Artificial sweeteners aren’t much better. They too disrupt metabolism and hormone balance causing inflammation and rosacea, acne and eczema.
Craving a sweet, refreshing soda? Swap traditional sodas for sparkling water with a little pure fruit juice added for sweetness.
Swap coffee for raw cacao or anti-oxidant rich elixirs
Coffee is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates skin causing inflammation and damage that can lead to premature ageing. It is also high in toxins that can further accelerate these negative effects. If you fancy a hot, sweet treat try a hot chocolate made with raw cacao or a whole spice chai latte packed with antioxidants and nourishing vitamins and minerals. Sweeten just a little with unrefined sugar such as coconut or maple. You can also supercharge your drink by infusing it with herbal supplements such as chaga mushroom, ashwaghanda or reishi.
