Eating, Drinking and Looking Pretty

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Last Reviewed: Sex Hormones Leave a Comment

You read correctly. Eating, drinking and looking pretty all go together. What you eat and what you drink can enhance the way your skin appears. It can also impact the way others perceive your beauty.

Eating, Drinking and Looking Pretty

A recent study found that within 6 weeks of eating approximately 4 servings of vegetables a day participants were measurably more attractive. The carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables can be measured in caucasian skin and are associated with the perception of good health and beauty.

Carotenoids are precursors to Vitamin A. You are probably familiar with Beta-carotene, which is a carotenoid that has received a lot of press for its antioxidant properties. While these highly pigmented compounds are most commonly associated with carrots and other orange foods, they are actually found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits & Vegetables High in Carotenoids

Carrots are high in the pigments that enhance the appearance of your skin.

5 Foods That Are Bad For Your Skin

Trans Fats.

These lead to inflammation and skin aggravation.

Sugar & Refined Carbohydrates.

Any food that creates an imbalance in your blood sugar will wreak havoc on your skin.

Gluten.

If you are sensitive to the proteins found in gluten, your skin will let you know.

Canned & Cured Foods.

They lead to inflammation and dehydration.

Caffeine.

No problem with the morning cup of coffee, but anymore and your skin may start to show more wrinkles than you would like. Too much caffeine can leave you and your skin looking and feeling dehydrated. Click here to learn more about how to create a healthy cup of coffee. 

Beauty Boosting & Busting Beverages:

Boosting:

Water.

It's really that simple. It hydrates your cells make them more plump and appear more youthful. It also allows your skin to sweat efficiently, moving out aggravating cellular waste, giving you a fresh glow. If you've got dark circles under your eyes, your body may be in desperate need of some hydration.

With the patients I work with recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day. So, if you weigh 130 lbs you'll be drinking about 65 ounces of water a day.

Green Smoothies.

Anyway you can get more vegetables in is going to help your skin. Make sure the beverage is light on the sugar (no syrups, no ice cream, no frozen yogurt). Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and can do wonders for making blended veggies more tasty.

Green tea.

The antioxidants in green tea help fight the aging process and rejuvenate your skin cells. Check out my favorite green tea here.

Kale is rich in nutrients & vitamins that feed the skin. Try adding it to your favorite smoothie recipe.

Beauty Busting Beverages:

Cow's milk

Even if organic, has growth hormones in it, which may be aggravating your skin. These hormones have an androgenic effect (increased testosterone), especially in women, that can lead to acne.

Soft drinks

These cause imbalances in the blood sugar. Increased sugar in the blood can lead to acne and even visible signs of aging. Avoid it!

Alcohol

This dehydrates the skin. A little red wine can give you some antioxidants, but too much alcohol can cause inflammation and disrupt hormone metabolism leading to break outs and an aged appearance. Moderation is key!

Ladies should try to limit themselves to one alcoholic drink per day. It is recommended that men have no more than two in a day.

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About The Author

Dr. Jolene Brighten

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Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, is a women’s hormone expert and prominent leader in women’s medicine. As a licensed naturopathic physician who is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology, she takes an integrative approach in her clinical practice. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones. She is the best selling author of Beyond the Pill and Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, medical advisor within the tech community, and considered a leading authority on women’s health. She is a member of the MindBodyGreen Collective and a faculty member for the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine. Her work has been featured in the New York Post, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Bustle, The Guardian, Sports Illustrated, Elle, and ABC News. Read more about me here.