In case you didn’t know, I’m a total nerd. Even though staying up on the latest research is necessary for my job, it’s actually one of my favorite parts. I know enough to know that we can’t automatically trust the claims skincare companies may make, so I often hit up Google Scholar to learn more about the science behind ingredients and technologies to help make educated decisions—and share this information with YOU.
I came across a really interesting new Dutch study in this month’s Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and it confirms what most of us have been told all along: A healthy diet benefits our bodies inside and out. Here are the key takeaways (and a few surprises):
- A fruit-dominant diet was linked to less wrinkles.
- Consumption of vegetables, antioxidants (especially vitamin C), olive oil, linoleic acid (important for our skin barrier) and fish was associated with fewer wrinkles.
- A diet high in red meat, grains, snacks, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol was associated with more wrinkles.
- Consumption of fats and sugars led to more wrinkles.
- Shockingly, more physical activity was associated with more wrinkles, although this could be due to sun exposure.
But here’s the kicker… A healthy diet was significantly associated with few wrinkles in women—but not men. (The article did not speculate why.) So there you have it… Eat your fish and vegetables, ladies!
