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If you’re looking to get that perfect summer glow and achieve smoother, more supple skin, you’ll be happy to know that your diet can help you out. Dermatologists and skin health experts suggest incorporating specific drinks like juices, teas, and water into your daily routine to get the best results. We’ve done some research and found seven drinks that can do wonders for your skin, boosting collagen production to give you a more youthful and radiant appearance. Trust us, these drinks are sure to make your skin look and feel amazing.
We spoke with dermatologists Dr. Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, writer at My Psoriasis Team, Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, clinical dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team, Dr. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD, owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group and Dr. Emmanuel Loucas, MD, Director of SINY Dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
We also checked in with Chris Mirabile, health expert and founder/ CEO of consumer biotech company NovosLabs and Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist, health expert and creator of The Candida Diet.
7 Vital Beverages That Boost Collagen And Prevent Premature Aging, According To Doctors
1. Collagen Powder Mixed With Water
When thinking about the best daily drinks that help promote a more radiant, glowy complexion in anyone’s aging skin, green tea or orange juice might come to mind.
While these drinks are certainly great for your health and skin, Jaliman recommends a simpler option, one that can be paired directly with a product designed to promote more youthful-looking skin. She suggests “mixing collagen powder with water” to specifically target your goals.
This powerful pairing helps with overall hydration as your body needs water at any age, and collagen powder directly links to collagen production. The more collagen we have, she says, the more youthful our skin will feel and appear. She recommends opting for a collagen powder like NeoCell Super Collagen ($23.35 via Amazon), as it can "increase skin elasticity and can help your body’s skin repair process."
Collagen loss begins as young as the age of 21 and by the age of 40, women have lost "between 10-20 percent of their collage and 1% thereafter," Richards explains. "There are three primary types of collagen and it is best to consume a collagen supplement that contains most of the five forms," she says, "At the least it is ideal to take types 1 and 3 together."
Collagen can be taken supplementally as a capsule or powder form. "When taken as a powder, especially mixed in with a protein powder, this can enhance absorption of the collagen," Richards advises.
2. Blueberry Juice & Smoothies
Since it isn't possible to completely prevent wrinkles from forming with age, staying hydrated and eating a myriad of nutrient-rich fruit is key to maintain a youthful glow.
One fruit that is linked to supporting collagen synthesis and that contains healthy antioxidants is blueberries. To really gain the benefits of this as prevent premature aging, one can drink blueberry juice daily or add these fruits to a healthy smoothie.
When it comes to boosting collagen and anti-aging, Loucas explains blueberries they are "thick in antioxidants, which help protect the skin from daily environmental and internal insults." Additionally, blueberries are rich in vitamin A & C, and the latter fights collagen breakdown. Loucas says that blueberries are also well-known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
"Inflammation is a common denominator for many skin ailments including photoaging, eczema, acne, and rosacea, just to name a few," he points out. With that said, adding these to your morning smoothie is a great way to boost collagen production.
3. Green Tea
Green tea is a comforting and soothing beverage to conclude your day with (decaf of course) and its antioxidant compounds reduce skin inflammation. In addition, it only takes a few minutes to brew a cup! Now that the weather is warmer, you can enjoy it iced as well.
"The addition of green tea to your routine is a great way to [aid] your skin with the antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and help the skin’s natural repair process," Ilyas explains. She notes that green tea differs from black tea in how it is made, and is the ultimate best tea choice for your skin when it comes to antioxidant levels.
"Green tea is not fully oxidized in the manner black tea is, so it retains the green color of the leaves. It tends to have higher concentrations of a polyphenol including one called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)," Ilyas says, noting that green tea polyphenols have demonstrated a number of skincare benefits including antioxidant effects.
"The benefit of EGCG is that some studies have demonstrated its ability to potentially inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme that contributes to skin pigmentation," she continues. By inhibiting the enzyme, there is potential to reduce pigmentation in your skin.
She also says that there are even studies that have demonstrated that consumption of green tea may be linked to reducing the signs of sun damage in our skin as it related to pigmentation.
4. Water With Lemons
As the temperature rises and our bodies lose hydration, it's crucial to keep our skin looking plump and healthy by staying hydrated with water. The advice from Jaliman is not surprising, but it is important to remember the role that water plays in our skin's appearance. So grab a glass of H2O and drink up! Your skin will thank you.
“Water is preferred as you want to avoid sugary drinks,” Jaliman says. “Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water per day as drinking water increases blood flow in the skin and body.” If you’re experiencing dry, patchy, wrinkling skin and “feel thirsty,” she notes that this is your body “asking for” water.
“Our cells and tissues are made up of mostly water,” she adds. “It’s important to stay hydrated.” Furthermore, she suggests that a simple solution for those who crave a tastier beverage is to include slices of zesty lemons or limes to their water.
5. Bone Broth
In addition to its rich vitamin and mineral content, bone broth boasts two key components essential for promoting skin health and longevity: collagen and hyaluronic acid, according to Mirabile.
"Although collagen is broken down into its constituent amino acids during digestion, it is reassembled by the body and used for skin, hair, nails, for sturdy blood vessels and more," Mirabile says.
"Hyaluronic acid (HA) is only modestly effective when applied topically. Ingesting hyaluronic acid can hydrate skin from the inside, out, and improve joint health. A little known fact about HA is that it also contains acetyl-glucosamine, a substance that extends lifespan in multiple organisms," he adds.
6. Pomegranate Juice
Factor notes that you’ve probably heard the saying, "you are what you eat and drink." When it comes to "how well your skin ages, this is especially true," she says.
She adds that pomegranates and pomegranate juice are "high in anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties" that may "improve the skin’s elasticity and protect against skin damage and premature aging."
Pomegranates, abundant in essential minerals, have the potential to enhance the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. Adding more vitamin C to your diet through pomegranates and juice can "be effective at preventing the onset of wrinkles," Factor continues.
She stresses that this consuming this nutrient, along with "drinking plenty of water, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, and managing your stress" plays a key role when it comes to "keeping your skin healthy and youthful."
7. Orange Juice
According to Akhavan, the presence of vitamin C in orange juice serves to promote the synthesis of collagen.
Therefore, incorporating orange juice into your regular diet has the potential to enhance skin elasticity and promote a more youthful appearance.
"Citrus fruits like oranges are excellent sources of vitamin C, which plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis as it helps convert amino acids into collagen," he explains.
The Bottom Line
Factor suggests that when you're unsure of how to begin your skincare and healthy dieting journey, incorporating beverages that are packed with anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties can do wonders for your skin's elasticity and shield it from damage and premature aging.
Whether you prefer simple water, fruit juices or even smoothies, adding collagen powder and blueberry juice can also help to increase the production of collagen and elastin, giving your skin the necessary nutrients it needs to flourish. Adding more vitamin C to your diet through your diet can also "be effective at preventing the onset of wrinkles," Factor points out.
She stresses that this consuming this nutrient, along with "drinking plenty of water, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, and managing your stress" plays a key role when it comes to "keeping your skin healthy and youthful."
