Originally published January 7 2011
How diet influences beauty
by Cindy Jones-Shoeman
(NaturalNews) The saying "Beauty is only skin deep" isn't entirely true. This idea has perpetuated society's ideas to the point that people believe that what they put on their skin on the outside is the only way they can influence their looks. However, one's diet influences beauty even more than what's applied to the skin. That is, a cream that promises to make a woman look younger and more radiant is less effective (and costs much more) than what she has been eating and drinking.
How diet helps beautify one's skin
There are so many reasons to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and maintaining natural beauty is just one of those reasons. Water keeps skin hydrated, so it looks fresh and radiant; it also keeps skin soft and smooth. Drinking plenty of water can help with dry, itchy skin, and according to Natural-Home Remedies, it can "delay" wrinkle formation and prevent skin blemishes. Green tea may also be beneficial on the anti-aging front.
There is also a reason why people talk constantly about antioxidants. There are numerous antioxidants that have been identified, and they include substances like lycopene and lutein, as well as vitamins, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Antioxidants protect skin against the harmful effects of earth's environment. Fortunately, people who consume a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods take in a variety of antioxidants every day. Usually abiding by the mantra to "eat the colors of the rainbow" will supply a person with a rich and varied source of antioxidants consistently.
How diet can harm one's skin
Because diet is so important to one's skin, there are things that should also be avoided. For example, alcohol is best avoided because it is dehydrating and can also lead to erupted capillaries when consumed in excess. Caffeine should be avoided as well for the same reasons, and caffeine can also contribute to dark circles under the eyes.
Dairy products are also bad for one's skin. Aside from the hormones milk cows produce (which can lead to acne), drinking milk might also lead to "atopic dermatitis" (eczema) and "urticaria" (hives), according to information complied by Robert Cohen.
One's diet can be equated to skin beauty much like the old computer phrase, "Garbage in, garbage out." If a person eats a lot of "garbage," it will likely show on her face, but if she eats healthy foods, her face will also look healthy.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/guide/hope-...
http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/makeup-a...
http://www.smartskincare.com/treatments/topi...
http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/news/200008...
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxida...
http://www.eatingwell.com/tips/eat_the_color...
http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/ap...
http://www.vivawoman.net/2008/04/01/skin-sin...
http://www.notmilk.com/forum/978.html
About the author
Cindy Jones-Shoeman is the author of Last Sunset and a Feature Writer for Academic Writing at Suite101.
Some of Cindy's interests include environmental issues, vegetarian and sustainable lifestyles, music, and reading.
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