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| - Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
In an Instagram video the speaker claims that diet can tighten loose skin. The speaker claims that fox nuts (makhana), licorice root (mulethi), and cumin seeds are collagen booster. Upon fact checking we found this claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
In an Instagram video, the speaker is discussing the advantages of using fox nuts (makhana), licorice root (mulethi), and cumin seeds (jeera) for the purpose of firming loose skin.
We have attached a screenshot of ow the post looks at the time of publishing this story.
Fact Check
What is loose skin?
Loose skin refers to a lack of firmness and elasticity in the skin, often resulting in sagging or wrinkling. Causes include ageing, rapid weight loss, genetics, sun exposure, poor nutrition, and smoking. Collagen and elastin depletion, key proteins maintaining skin structure, contribute to its laxity. Addressing underlying causes, maintaining hydration, and adopting a healthy lifestyle may help improve skin tightness.
What are the causes of loose skin?
There are various factors that affects loose skin. Its development is often a result of the skin’s inability to regain the original tightness and elasticity. Here are some common causes of loose skin:
- Ageing: As people age, the production of collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity, decreases. This natural ageing process can lead to sagging and wrinkling of the skin.
- Rapid Weight Loss: Significant and rapid weight loss, whether through diet, exercise, or medical procedures, can result in loose skin. When the skin stretches due to excess weight, it may not contract sufficiently to adapt to the body’s reduced size.
- Pregnancy: The expansion of the abdominal area during pregnancy can stretch the skin. While the skin can often rebound somewhat after childbirth, it may not fully regain its previous tightness, especially in cases of multiple pregnancies or significant weight gain during pregnancy.
- Genetics: Genetic factors play a role in determining an individual’s skin elasticity. Some people genetically may have skin that is more resistant to sagging, while others may be more prone to developing loose skin.
- Sun Exposure: Prolonged and unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres, leading to premature aging and loss of skin elasticity.
- Poor Nutrition: Inadequate nutrition, particularly a lack of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, can contribute to poor skin health. Collagen production depends on certain nutrients, and deficiencies can impact the skin’s ability to maintain its firmness.
- Smoking: Smoking can cause premature ageing of the skin. It can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, contributing to the development of loose skin.
- Lack of Exercise: Regular exercise can help maintain overall skin health by promoting blood circulation and collagen production. Lack of physical activity may contribute to poor skin tone and elasticity.
Can loose skin be tightened naturally?
To a certain extent. Natural methods for tightening loose skin include staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients, engaging in regular exercise to build muscle, and applying moisturizers or creams with collagen-boosting ingredients. However, the effectiveness of these approaches can vary, and for more significant cases, medical procedures or interventions may be necessary.
A social media post also claims that taking a shower every day is harmful to the skin, and one must bathe every two to three days.
Can loose skin go away with diet?
To a certain extent. Diet can play a role in managing loose skin to some extent. A balanced diet with sufficient protein can aid in muscle building, which may help fill out loose areas. Staying hydrated is crucial for skin elasticity. However, for significant cases of loose skin, especially after weight loss, complete resolution through diet alone is challenging. Combining a healthy diet with exercise, including strength training, may provide some improvement, but surgical procedures are often more effective for substantial tightening.
Chaitali Bharatiya, M.Sc. Specialized Dietetics in Diabetes and Cardiac Nutrition informs, “In the quest for weight loss, clients often worry that dieting will leave them with loose, sagging skin. While diet alone cannot fully tighten skin, a balanced, nutritious diet supports skin health and elasticity. Hydration, collagen-rich foods like bone broth, fish, and lean meats, along with fox nuts and licorice, which offer health benefits, can aid in skin health. However, there is no magical solution for loose skin. A holistic approach including diet, hydration, exercise, and lifestyle factors is key to improving skin elasticity and overall health.”
Does consuming makhana, mulethi and jeera boost collagen formation and skin tightening?
Not exactly. Various factors influence collagen formation. These include genetics, age, and lifestyle. While these foods do offer some nutritional benefits, it is essential to note that science does not fully support claims about their direct impact on collagen production or skin tightening.
However, each of these foods has some positive attributes:
- Makhana (Fox Nuts): Makhana is a nutritious snack that provides protein, fibre, and essential minerals. The protein found in makhana contains glutamine that is known for collagen formation. While it contributes to overall health, its direct role in collagen formation is unclear.
- Mulethi (Licorice): Licorice has been traditionally used for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may have benefits for skin health. However, as the concentration of licorice extract increased, the amount of collagen (a protein in the body) decreased. We need more research to establish a direct link between collagen formation and skin tightening.
- Jeera (Cumin): Cumin is rich in antioxidants and has potential anti-inflammatory properties. While jeera can contribute to overall health, its direct impact on collagen formation or skin tightening may be indirect.
We have debunked various skin myths, including achieving flawless skin at home, the effectiveness of home remedies for skin issues, and the transformative claims of fenugreek (methi) powder on the skin. For supporting collagen formation and maintaining skin health, it’s generally recommended to focus on a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Foods rich in vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers) and those containing amino acids like proline and glycine (found in bone broth, chicken skin, and fish) are known to support collagen synthesis.
Dr Sandeep Arora, MBBS, MD and an experienced dermatologist informs, “Fox nuts are a rich source of antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium and fibre. Although they are a superfood they cannot by themselves address loose skin. Loose skin is a structural change which needs a multi pronged approach apart from just a healthy diet. It however does play a role in the support structure of the skin. Licorice is a potent antioxidant often added to ‘cosmeceuticals’ with the promise of tightening the skin. It has displayed elastase inhibitory activity ascribed to this important anti-aging potential. However the dose needed for this effect means it is often a prescription product and the quantity used in cosmeceuticals/ easily available OTCs is questionable”.
Another word of caution, just having these in a skin care product is not enough as these bioactives need to be extracted from plant products and hence a failure to maintain strict quality control leads to the loss of active compounds with resulting loss of their biological activity.
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