Diet and skin health: The good and the bad.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the impact of high-fat diets on skin health, comparing unhealthy dietary habits (like high-fat intake) with healthier alternatives.
Results Summary
The study found that high-fat diets, along with other unhealthy dietary habits, are harmful to skin health, contributing to skin damage and aging, while healthier diets (rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, etc.) enhance skin health.
Population
General human population (no specific subgroup mentioned).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
less water intake | decrease | skin health | human body | - | unhealthy and harmful | #1 |
high-fat diet | decrease | skin health | human body | - | unhealthy and harmful | #2 |
refined sugar | decrease | skin health | human body | - | unhealthy and harmful | #3 |
certain food additives | decrease | skin health | human body | - | unhealthy and harmful | #4 |
adequate water intake | increase | skin health | human body | - | should be adopted to enhance | #5 |
consumption of antioxidants and polyphenolic-rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes | increase | skin health | human body | - | should be adopted to enhance | #6 |
a low glycemic index diet | increase | skin health | human body | - | should be adopted to enhance | #7 |
probiotics | increase | skin health | human body | - | should be adopted to enhance | #8 |
phytoestrogens | increase | skin health | human body | - | should be adopted to enhance | #9 |
The skin protects humans from pathogens, ultraviolet light, chemicals, mechanical, thermal, and physical injuries as well as hazardous substances. Other important roles of the skin include the regulation of several important physiological processes of the body, sensing stimuli, synthesis of vitamin D, and immune surveillance. However, aging, diseases and environmental conditions significantly change the skin's behavior and functioning. The treatment and prevention strategies for various skin diseases especially photoaging usually include topical treatment with medical cosmetology, active ingredients and other physical means of photoprotection. In recent times, however, there is an increasing consciousness about the role of diet and nutrition in skin health with certain dietary components emerging as an adequate alternative approach to alleviate and prevent both endogenous and exogenous aging symptoms. Therefore, this narrative review uniquely discusses the basic structure of the skin and also addresses common dermatological signs of damaged skin, the impacts of unhealthy diet habits on the skin, and the beneficial effects of some healthy diet habits on skin health. The information and data were collated from various literature databases and resources such as Science Direct, PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Inflibnet, Scopus, Google, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). In conclusion, diet and nutrition play essential roles in the optimum functioning of the human body, including the skin. Thus, certain diet habits such as less water intake, high-fat diet, refined sugar, and certain food additives are unhealthy and harmful to the skin while alternative healthy diet habits such as adequate water intake; consumption of antioxidants and polyphenolic-rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes; a low glycemic index diet; probiotics; and phytoestrogens should be adopted to enhance skin health.