While aging, wrinkling skin is normal and inevitable for many with time, there are some salty foods out there that are often linked to premature aging and sagging skin. We checked in with dermatologists, doctors and other skincare experts to learn more about two specific salty foods— potato chips and processed meats— and their negative effects (if eaten often) when it comes to your skin health. Read on for tips and insight from clinical dermatologist Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, and Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, skincare expert and CEO and founder of RenewMD Beauty & Wellness.
Healthier Alternatives
To prioritize your skin health, Factor recommends consuming foods “rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.” Whole grains, she notes, such as “wheat bread, brown rice, barley, millet, oatmeal and quinoa” all lead to “healthy skin.” She also suggests adding more “beans and legumes” to your skin-healthy diet, including “black beans, navy beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, peas and lentils.” Strawberries, red peppers, and grapefruit are “all other great vitamin C sources,” she says, and that “leafy greens” such as spinach are rich in vitamin A, “which is an antioxidant and promotes healthy skin cell turnover.” Sethi concurs, and concludes that drinking at least “10 8 oz glasses of water” and of course, “limiting consumption of salty foods to once a week or less” is the best way to achieve healthier-looking skin at any age.
Potato Chips & Faster Wrinkling
Excess salt can be found in many popular junk foods and other products, Factor points out, listing "cheese, pizza, chips, crackers, cereals, etc." Eating large amounts of salt daily, she explains, "causes the body to retain water" and leads to a “swollen” appearance in the face. Also, she says that the cells "shrink and lead to dehydration," and "lack of water leaves the skin with wrinkles, and as a result, accelerates aging." Potato chips, she warns, are "notoriously high in salt, which will dehydrate skin," and when loaded with sodium, can "take a real toll on your skin's health."
Processed Meats & Sagging Skin
Sethi notes that "potato chips and processed meats like hot dogs and salami" are not only notoriously high in salt, but also contain a sizable amount of sugar. "When there is an excess of salt and glucose in the body, it cross-links with collagen and elastin, proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity," she says. "Elevated sugar and salt intake hardens skin proteins, making your skin weaker, thinner and less hydrated." Ultimately, she adds, "the damaged skin proteins result in increased and premature wrinkles, sagging and discoloration of the skin." Factor also points out that bacon is another processed meat linked to premature wrinkling and faster aging. "Bacon is salty and loaded with preservatives like nitrites, nitrates, and sulfates," she says, "not only can bacon cause wrinkles, this greasy food may be the culprit behind acne breakouts, too."
Healthier Alternatives
To prioritize your skin health, Factor recommends consuming foods "rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties." Whole grains, she notes, such as "wheat bread, brown rice, barley, millet, oatmeal and quinoa" all lead to "healthy skin." She also suggests adding more "beans and legumes" to your skin-healthy diet, including "black beans, navy beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, peas and lentils." Strawberries, red peppers, and grapefruit are "all other great vitamin C sources," she says, and that "leafy greens" such as spinach are rich in vitamin A, "which is an antioxidant and promotes healthy skin cell turnover." Sethi concurs, and concludes that drinking at least "10 8 oz glasses of water" and of course, "limiting consumption of salty foods to once a week or less" is the best way to achieve healthier-looking skin at any age.
