Do You Really Need to Drink Water for Healthier Skin?
Naweko San-Joyz
January 18, 2007
Yes, we’ve all heard it before, “Drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water per day or your brain will shrink, your skin will crinkle and you will die of thirst.” Besides the Thalian death threats, do we really need to be paranoid about meeting the daily water quota?
Beverage superpower The Coca-Cola Company bulks at the “eight a day” water ration as pure myth, and boldly recommends, “Quench your thirst with coffee”. I just heard an “Amen!” from Starbucks’ corporate headquarters. But seriously, according to Coke.com, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science concludes that all beverages, including those that contain caffeine, contribute to proper hydration.
That’s great news for the people who care about making it to fourth quarter in a basketball game. But what about the rest of us who drink water primarily because we believe it will make us look good. Are we delusional? Will coffee and artificially flavored juices hydrate the skin just as well as water?
According to Coke’s resident hydration expert and sports nutritionist Dr. Ann Grandjean, “plain drinking water” is not more hydrating that other beverages like soda or tea. Dr. Grandjean explains that, “The nutrient “water” … is also present in other fluids like juice, coffee and other beverages – as well as in most foods – in varying amounts. This nutrient “water” is absorbed by the body and acts the same physiologically regardless of its dietary source.”
Nevertheless, a study in August 2006 edition of Skin Research and Technology took hydration testing to a new level. This study examined the effects of drinking natural mineral water on skin hydration levels of subjects with dry skin.
Forty-four women and thirty-sex men between the ages of 49 and 66 took part in the study. A dermatologist observed the skin color, thickness, elasticity, roughness and skin surface hydration on the forearms study participants. After increasing consumption of mineral water, the subjects noted improvement in the skin’s softness, smoothness and overall moisture level. The study designers concluded that drinking mineral water was a natural way to compliment one’s cosmetic regime. Mineral water can provide the nutrients copper, selenium and sulfur, which are needed for healthy skin.
So for now, at least until Pepsi or Starbucks examines the effects that drinking caffeine on the skin, consumers can relish a glass of mineral water sensibly believing that it will enhance the overall health level of their skin. Pellegrino anyone?
Beverage superpower The Coca-Cola Company bulks at the “eight a day” water ration as pure myth, and boldly recommends, “Quench your thirst with coffee”. I just heard an “Amen!” from Starbucks’ corporate headquarters. But seriously, according to Coke.com, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science concludes that all beverages, including those that contain caffeine, contribute to proper hydration.
That’s great news for the people who care about making it to fourth quarter in a basketball game. But what about the rest of us who drink water primarily because we believe it will make us look good. Are we delusional? Will coffee and artificially flavored juices hydrate the skin just as well as water?
According to Coke’s resident hydration expert and sports nutritionist Dr. Ann Grandjean, “plain drinking water” is not more hydrating that other beverages like soda or tea. Dr. Grandjean explains that, “The nutrient “water” … is also present in other fluids like juice, coffee and other beverages – as well as in most foods – in varying amounts. This nutrient “water” is absorbed by the body and acts the same physiologically regardless of its dietary source.”
Nevertheless, a study in August 2006 edition of Skin Research and Technology took hydration testing to a new level. This study examined the effects of drinking natural mineral water on skin hydration levels of subjects with dry skin.
Forty-four women and thirty-sex men between the ages of 49 and 66 took part in the study. A dermatologist observed the skin color, thickness, elasticity, roughness and skin surface hydration on the forearms study participants. After increasing consumption of mineral water, the subjects noted improvement in the skin’s softness, smoothness and overall moisture level. The study designers concluded that drinking mineral water was a natural way to compliment one’s cosmetic regime. Mineral water can provide the nutrients copper, selenium and sulfur, which are needed for healthy skin.
So for now, at least until Pepsi or Starbucks examines the effects that drinking caffeine on the skin, consumers can relish a glass of mineral water sensibly believing that it will enhance the overall health level of their skin. Pellegrino anyone?
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