If you want to have a healthier, glowing skin, here are 7 food habits you MUST avoid as experts say they may be hurting your skin

1) CARBS
Diets that are full of refined carbohydrates and sweets such as bread, candy, pasta, soda and juice can cause acne. These type of foods have the tendency to increase blood sugar levels, unleashing hormones that stimulate oil production and make pore-clogging skin cells shed faster. So if you're acne-prone or concerned about wrinkles, consider replacing processed carbs with more protein, vegetables and whole grains, which don't cause a rise in blood sugar

2) TOO MUCH SALT
Worried about those puffy eyes and dark circles under your eyes Blame your sodium intake. It is said that too much sodium can cause puffiness and facial bloating. Salt causes tissues to swell, making your face seem puffy and tired. Plus, iodized salt (in high doses) has been proved to increase acne breakouts. Try eating foods rich in potassium, and minimize your salt intake. Make sure to rinse all canned vegetables, meats and beans after opening them to reduce the sodium content.

3) TOO MUCH ALCOHOL
Alcohol, when taken in moderation, is good for health but too much of it can be very damaging to your skin. Particularly on the skin complexion. Heavy drinking causes dehydration, which can lead to dullness, wrinkles and dry skin. It also robs the body of vitamin A, which helps the skin renew and repair itself. It also triggers skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. You don't have to give up on happy hour altogether, but it is recommended to keep the drinking to a minimum, specifically one drink for women and two for men.

4) GETTING RID OF HEALTHY FATS
If you're trying to eat healthy, remember to keep good fats in your diet. There are certain healthy fats (like the omega-3 fatty acids) that our skin requires to maintain hydration, and since our body can't produce them on its own, we have to get it from foods like walnuts, soybeans and fatty fish like salmon. These fats help prevent wrinkles, inflammation, dry skin and acne. Olive oil, high on oleic acid content, is considered a healthy option as it hydrates the skin, protects against skin cancer and increase absorption of omega-3s and other nutrients. Other oleic acid sources include avocados and nuts such as almond and macadamia.

5) OVERDOSE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
Dairy is one healthy diet we all swear by. But just like alcohol, too much of dairy can be unhealthy sometimes. Studies have suggested milk can cause pimples, whiteheads and blackheads in people prone to acne. A hormone found in milk is said to stimulate the production of pore-clogging skin cells. People prone to hormonal acne should avoid or limit their dairy intake.

6) COFFEE
It's hard to avoid coffee, altogether. But one should be aware that 2-3 cups of caffeinated beverages can lead to increased cortisol in your body. Excess cortisol, known as the stress hormone, has been proven to be damaging to the skin. It accelerates the aging process, also causing dehydration, a dull appearance, and thinning of the skin, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles quickly. Try cutting back on your caffeine by mixing decaf and regular or replacing that extra cup with natural decaffeinated tea

7) HIGH SUGAR DIET
Study have proven that high-sugar diets can cause premature aging and cell damage by damaging collagen and elastin, the connective tissues that keep the skin firm and supple.

Source: Times of India

BDST: 1712 HRS, DEC- 02, 2015
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor