Soda and Skin Health (And A Bit of My Personal Journey)

A couple of weeks ago, I did an article about some foods that can can cause inflammation throughout the body and lead to skin problems, ranging from acne to redness, to deeper wrinkles as we age, There is one other inflammatory food item that I did not touch that I personally choose to avoid almost completely, and doing so has led to a major improvement in my skin as well as my whole being-- soda.

Dermatologists and other medical experts alike claim that soda is one of the most taxing substances we can put into our bodies. Many in the skincare field also believe that it can cause as much premature aging from the inside for our skin and bodies as sun exposure does from the outside. Not only does soda contain caffeine-- a known dehydrator but also contains a high amount of quick-releasing sugar (around 25- 45 milligrams per can) that causes inflammation in the body and does so rapidly. This rapid release of stimulation takes a toll on our whole system but definitely results in the formation of deeper wrinkles at a younger age, slower healing time, and a greater exacerbation of other inflammatory skin conditions such as acne (especially cystic acne) and dermatitis -- very similar to the effects of refined sugars discussed in my previous article.

Comparing sodas to other caffeinated beverages such as coffee or teas, while certain sodas may contain less caffeine per serving than a standard latte or glass of tea, coffee and tea offer other naturally-occurring healthful ingredients such as antioxidants and Vitamin C where soda has none. And many health experts agree that the excessive amount of sugar in soda is more damaging to your internal and external systems than the extra caffeine in tea and coffee, and even if you do add sugar to these things, one can at least control of the amount consumed.

Far scarier for many, however, than any quantity of sugar and caffeine is the inclusion of many synthetic chemicals in soda. Diet soda, which often contain no sugar at all, are often the biggest offenders here, containing ingredients such as aspartame. Aspartame is a chemical 180 times sweeter than sugar but is linked to many inflammatory responses throughout the body such as excessive skin dryness, aggravating acne, PMS, increased irritability. and putting a strain on kidney function, potentially interfering with our body'a ability to break down waste and toxins, which can ultimately lead to more clogged pores and just stressed out skin and stressed out bodies overall.

In an effort to make positive strides not only for my skin but also, and most importantly, for my general health, I am proud to say that I have been soda-free for nearly three years now. I had been a lifelong soda drinker til then and also mixed in coffee and tea (both of which I still drink regularly), but giving up soda has really been a milestone in my overall wellness.

As far as my skin's health, though I will always have a naturally dry skin and be prone to dehydration within the skin, I have noticed a definite improvement in these areas and also in redness and blotchiness. When I do get a breakout, I find they are usually much less deep and inflamed than they once were, and they always seem to heal faster than they did when I drank soda. Better yet, I have noticed changes in my mood (becoming more stable and overall better). and though I do have insomnia my sleep patterns and physical energy levels have also regulated significantly. And of course, a healthy body and happy life is perhaps the most important key to glowing, good-looking, healthy skin.

Though I strongly believe that there is a time and place for everything to be enjoyed, I would definitely encourage cutting back at least a little on soda where you can. It may seem like a huge task, but it is one that can be done in stages too. For example, if you are daily soda drinker, try cutting back to only three per week at first and see what changes you experience. With even that step, you'll be reducing your sugar intake by as much as 180 mg per week! Try it out, and see how you feel and also how your skin response. For more information on soda and skin health specifically, you can take a look at these articles linked here and here.