If you’re like most people, you get up in the morning and rush out of bed to start your day. You don’t always have time to do everything that might benefit your skin, but it should be a priority if you want radiant, beautiful skin. Unfortunately, there’s a mistake we all make every morning that could sabotage our efforts, but with a few simple tricks and changes, it can be fixed. Keep reading to find out this common skincare mistake and how to fix it for smoother, healthier looking skin!
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is a bad habit that could cost our skin dearly.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming coffee on an empty stomach resulted in lower levels of vitamins A and E than when consumed with food. Both of these vitamins are essential for healthy skin. Vitamin A helps protect the epidermis from sun damage, while vitamin E protects the dermis from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Low levels of these vitamins can lead to dryness and an increased risk of wrinkles and premature aging.
Two other reasons should prevent you from giving up your habit.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be bad for your skin, as it can cause dehydration and make existing skin problems worse. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it increases the body’s production of urine, which can lead to dehydration and dry skin. Dehydrated skin is more prone to wrinkles, tenderness and irritation. Also, caffeine can make acne or eczema symptoms worse by decreasing blood flow to the affected area or causing inflammation in people who are already prone to it.
Coffee also has acidic properties that can upset our natural pH balance if consumed alone or on an empty stomach. This imbalance in our body’s pH levels puts us at risk for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. As well as redness, itching, flaking and dry patches on the surface of the skin.
According to a nutritionist, drinking coffee on an empty stomach increases cortisol levels.
Olivia Hedlund, an American nutritionist, shared on her TikTok profile the side effects of coffee consumed on an empty stomach on the skin. Indeed, she claims that drinking coffee in the morning on an empty stomach can be a tricky proposition for your digestion and your skin. In response to the sudden rush of acids that accompanies coffee drinking, your stomach secretes cortisol, the stress hormone that triggers inflammatory reactions in the body. This can have a detrimental effect on your skin as it has to try to defend itself against an aggressor, leading to inflammation and dryness.
The vasoconstrictor properties of coffee further exacerbate this problem by constricting blood vessels, which lowers hydration levels and hinders collagen production. Over time, all of this can leave you with dry, dull skin and visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
But, are you a coffee lover!? Do you like to drink coffee every morning? Here is such a simple change to adopt.
Of course, it’s always best to avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach if possible; instead, opt for something lighter, like tea or juice, until you’ve had breakfast or a snack.
Olivia Hedlund doesn’t just ask you to ditch the coffee fasting in the morning, she recommends it! Eating even a small amount of food before sipping your first cup will make all the difference. Imagine how much more energetic and alert you will be if you eat a little something first. In addition, it is important to stay hydrated and to compensate for each caffeine intake with a glass of water.
Studies show that staying hydrated helps increase energy levels and focus, while helping flush toxins from the body. The next time you’re about to drink your coffee, take the time to grab a bite to eat before you start your day. So not only will you get the most out of your coffee, but you’ll also reap some surprising health benefits for your skin!
