Diet Detoxes That Will Help Your Skin

Diet Detoxes That Will Help Your Skin

Detox diets can be controversial. Some people argue that they are a magical way to improve every aspect of your health and appearance, while others warn of the potential dangers of depriving yourself of essential nutrients. That is why it is very important to research carefully before trying any detox, including if you want it to help your skin.

What is a diet detox?

At its most basic, a diet detox is when you attempt to lose weight and make yourself healthier by “removing toxins” and cutting back the types of food that you eat. It often involves reducing or even completely eschewing caffeine, alcohol, wheat and dairy, as well as heavily processed foods. Instead, there is usually a particular focus on fruit and vegetables. You may maintain your detox for a few days, a whole week, or maybe even the better part of a month.

What are the claimed advantages of a detox?

Proponents of the detox diet claim that it can clear your mind, increase your energy levels, improve your digestion and immune system, and, most relevantly here, give you a brighter, more youthful complexion. This may include hydrating your skin, tackling wrinkles or acne, or generally making you look and feel better.

How does it help the skin in particular?

An obvious way in which a detox can help your skin is by removing common allergens from your diet. Gluten, dairy and soy can all cause adverse reactions, including inflammation, dermatitis and other skin issues, even if you only have a mild intolerance. Soy can also disrupt your hormones.

Another way in which a detox can help the skin is by removing foods from your diet that damage your complexion. For example, alcohol and caffeine are known for their dehydrating qualities. Highly refined, sugary carbohydrates such as those used in white rice, white bread and pasta (as well as in sugar itself) have been linked to an increased risk of acne. This is because of their high glycemic index, which means heightened glucose in your blood that can increase your insulin levels. This leads to acne and can damage the collagen in your skin.

Yet another type of food that can increase both insulin and acne is dairy, which is also something usually cut out in a detox diet. High hormone levels in milk may also have a powerful impact on your skin.

Insulin levels are also affected more by fatty meat than lean cuts, so the leaner proteins in your detox may also help. Meanwhile, processed meats, such as that used in pepperoni, hotdogs and bacon, contain high levels of sodium and nitrates. Sodium can cause skin to become dry, while nitrates can inflame the skin and even contribute to the development of wrinkles.

A detox diet does not just cut back on the foods you eat, but also on the seasonings. This can help your skin because too much spicy food can also cause inflammation. This could lead to everything from redness to breakouts.

The detox diet is not just about what you cannot eat; it's also about what you can consume. Detox diets tend to be particularly high in fruit and vegetables, which in turn tend to be high in vitamin A, vitamin C and various antioxidants. These are all proven to have a positive effect on the skin. Vitamin A is full of retinoids, while vitamin C contributes to the production of collagen.

Possible side effects and dangers

Although a diet detox can be good for your skin, you should also be aware of potential side effects. During the first few days of a detox, you may experience some rashes or breakouts on your skin, as well as other symptoms like headaches, irritability and digestive issues. It can take the body a while to adjust to the new routine.

You should also keep in mind that when the detox is over, it is possible your body will revert to how it was before once you return to a normal diet. You will not necessarily keep any weight loss or improved skin for more than a few weeks, although a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle may prove easier to maintain.

If you have diabetes, anemia or a history of eating disorders, among other conditions, it may not be safe for you to participate in a detox.

A detox can remove food that is damaging to your skin from your diet while increasing good nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C. Just ensure that you are careful not to neglect your overall health.