Keeping Your Skin Hydrated – Beverages & Foods to Avoid (or Consume in Moderation)

A well-hydrated skin ensures that you keep those fine lines and wrinkles at bay. You can spend an exorbitant amount of money on a really good moisturiser, but do you know that the simplest way to keep your skin hydrated is to drink as much water as possible? Nevertheless, there are beverages and foods that you should consume in moderation or as little as possible in order to avoid dehydration.

Beverages

1. Drinks with high sugar content

    Such drinks are known to add other health problems such as weight gain and diabetes, but they also can increase water loss in the body. What happens is that the body's water storage capacity is reduced and enzyme function is impaired due to the acidic environment that is created when one consumes these sugary drinks. This is compounded by the fact that water and enzyme function are needed to metabolize the additional sugar. People who do excessive physical activities must watch what they drink, especially sports drinks that contain sugar as it may cause them to lose extra fluids.

Sodas on supermarket shelves
(Shared on Flickr by francois schnell)

2. Alcohol

    We're not asking you to abstain from your favourite wine or beer, but please drink in moderation. Alcohol is a diuretic, which makes you go to the restroom to do #1 on a frequent basis. For those of you who enjoy a night of drinking with friends, you face the prospect of a headache in the morning as your body has become dehydrated due to all those restroom visits. Your lack of energy in the morning is also due to the depletion of water after all the alcohol consumption.

Beer
(Shared on Flickr by Martin Garrido)

3. Coffee

    Okay, coffee lovers. We know what you're thinking. "Oh no, not coffee, too." Unfortunately, coffee is also a diuretic. This goes for caffeinated tea as well. Caffeine itself speeds up dehydration. To ensure that your coffee/tea intake is balanced, drink less than two cups a day. Otherwise, you should increase your water intake to prevent fluid loss. Those who are heavy coffee drinkers, like roughly five cups, or exceeding 500 miligrams per day, should watch out as you will definitely be dehydrated.

Steaming cup of coffee
(Shared on Flickr by waferboard)

Foods

1. Diet high in protein

    The nitrogen that occurs naturally in protein requires more water to metabolize. Otherwise, cells can become water-depleted. Foods that are high in protein and also salty, like cured meats such as pepperoni, can also lead to dehydration. Speaking of salty foods ...

Pepperoni pizza
 (Shared on Flickr by rob_rob2001)

2. Foods high in sodium

    Salty foods should be taken in moderation as the sodium needs to be leveled out with a high intake of water. Otherwise, eating too much salty food and not drinking enough water could lead to fluid loss. Foods high in sodium include fried foods, sausages, popcorn, soy sauce and other condiments, canned or frozen meals, fast food and salad dressings.

Popcorn
(Shared on Flickr by jayneandd)

3. Certain vegetables that have a diuretic effect

    Of course, most vegetables are good for you, as all vegetables have water as their main component. However, do consume in moderation those that have a diuretic effect. These include asparagus, celery, artichokes and parsley.

Asparagus 
(Shared on Flickr by liz west)

Source: chopra.com