Skin Savvy Eating Habits

When you eat may be just as important as what you eat

Having a solid routine gives organization and structure to our day, enabling us to do things without constantly thinking about every move. We become more efficient and are able to breeze through tasks because they’ve become second nature. Routine has even been linked to weight control. Sleep patterns have been found to support a healthy weight in both adults and children and more recently it’s been suggested that eating habits may affect our skin’s ability to protect us from the sun.

Researchers from the O’Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern investigated the little known relationship between feeding time and skin function. Their preliminary research, published in Cell Reports, suggests that eating during abnormal times, such as in the middle of the night, can throw off enzymes in the skin that protect us from UV rays. In this study, researchers set up a variety of feeding schedules and analyzed mice over 26 days. They learned that when food was consumed during “off” hours, protective enzyme activity was less active during the day, thus the mice experienced more skin damage when exposed to UVB light.

Though more exploration is needed in this area, Dr. Takahashi, Chairman of Neuroscience at UT Southwestern, was quoted as saying it is likely that if you have a normal eating schedule, then you will be better protected from UV rays during the day. 

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, making it crucial to care for it diligently, especially during hot sunny months. Remember to nourish your skin with vitamin rich foods like bell peppers, pineapples and broccoli. The importance of hydration and sunblock for skin care are as important as ever! And as new research suggests, stick to your 3 meals a day, and close the kitchen after the sun goes down to avoid harm to both your waistline and to your skin.

Published July 1, 2018