A doctor has recommended other tasty treats that can “support skin repair and regeneration”.
A dermatologist has issued a warning over some popular snacks, claiming they could be causing unwanted wrinkles and sagging skin. The expert has urged people to ditch these potentially damaging treats, especially in the evening.
Dr Kate Jameson, a dermatologist from Youth Lab AUS, explained that the seemingly harmless habit of late-night snacking on high glycaemic foods might be speeding up your skin’s ageing process. Popular snacks that many reach for before bed could be the worst culprits.
She said: “Eating high glycaemic foods like pizzas, crisps, or biscuits right before bed can cause a spike in insulin levels and result in inflammation, significantly impacting your skin’s health and appearance. Opting for healthier snacks can make a noticeable difference in maintaining your skin’s youthfulness and elasticity.”
Her advice is based on studies linking diet-induced inflammation to collagen breakdown and increased oxidative stress. These are both factors that can accelerate skin ageing.
The high glycaemic snacks to avoid before bed, according to Kate, are:
- Crisps
- Biscuits
- White chocolate
- Energy drinks
Instead she highlighted some healthier alternatives to curb late-night cravings without compromising skin health:
- A bowl of mixed berries
- Carrot sticks with hummus
- A small serving of cottage cheese
- A handful of almonds
- An apple with peanut butter
She commented: “These nutritious snacks help stabilise your insulin levels and supply essential nutrients that support skin repair and regeneration throughout the night.” Kate’s recommendations are supported by advice from Healthline, which said: “Foods with a high glycaemic index, like white bread, can cause inflammation in the body, which is directly linked to the ageing process.”
The website also linked sugar, alcohol, and oils cooked at high heat to accelerated skin ageing. One scientific study, published in Molecular Aspects of Medicine journal, found that a high glycaemic diet not only ages the skin but could be linked to age-related health issues.
More specifically it linked the food to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Study authors said: “Thus, long term consumption of high glycaemic index diets may contribute to decreased proteopoise [the process by which cells maintain a balance of protein] and exacerbate a number of age-related protein precipitation diseases including AMD and cataract.”
