How Celsius Drinks Can Damage Skin Health
Celsius is a popular line of fitness and energy drinks that contain a mix of ingredients like green tea, ginger, vitamin C and chromium. While these drinks are marketed as healthy beverages that can help with weight loss, the high acidity and carbonation of Celsius can actually harm skin health.
Understanding Celsius Drinks
Celsius drinks contain a proprietary blend of ingredients like green tea with EGCG, ginger, vitamin C, chromium, sodium bicarbonate, calcium and niacin. They come in several fruit flavors and are marketed as metabolism-boosting pre-workout beverages.
Each 12 oz can of Celsius contains 200-300 mg of caffeine, which is about 2-3 cups of coffee. Caffeine helps increase alertness and focus. However, too much caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues andSkin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and acne often flare up due to inflammation within the body.
High Acidity Damages Skin
Celsius has a very high level of acidity to enhance flavors and help ingredients dissolve better. However, the high acid content in Celsius drinks can damage the skin over time.
The normal pH of skin is slightly acidic, averaging 4.7. Acidic drinks like Celsius can alter skin’s normal pH. Over time, habitually drinking acidic beverages reduces nutrient absorption and causes inflammation.
Inflammation triggers certain skin disorders like acne, psoriasis and eczema. Acidity also thins the skin barrier allowing greater water loss and irritation from pollutants.
Carbonation Weakens Skin
The carbon dioxide bubbles in sparkling drinks like Celsius increase acidity. Fizzy drinks usually have a pH between 2.5 to 3.5, making them highly acidic.
These bubbles penetrate the skin, causing microscopic damage. Over time, habitual soda drinking destroys collagen and elastin that keep skin plump and supple.
Skin also becomes saggy as carbonation leeches out minerals like calcium and phosphorus necessary for structural integrity. Yeast, fungus and bacteria then invade causing more irritation and inflammation.
Specific Ways Celsius Harms Skin
1. Can Worsen Acne
Celsius contains 80 to 140 mg of caffeine per can, which can spur acne formation. Caffeine causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing oil gland stimulation.
Oily skin breeds acne-causing bacteria like Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus species that trigger inflammation. Celsius’ high acidity, sugar content and carbonation further exacerbate acne.
2. Increases Rosacea Risk
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disorder that causes facial redness and pus-filled pimples. Celsius can aggravate rosacea by promoting inflammation.
Caffeine in Celsius expands blood vessels prompting flushing and stinging in rosacea-prone skin. For people with rosacea, drinking 1-2 cans daily may trigger unpleasant flare-ups.
3. Can Cause Hives and Rashes
Celsius contain vitamins, minerals and herbs that may provoke allergic skin reactions in some people. Ingredients like niacin, ginger and chromium could potentially cause hives or skin rashes.
Celsius is also quite high in sugar and potassium benzoate preservatives that can irritate skin. People prone to chronic hives or eczema may notice more frequent rashes drinking fizzy, sugary Celsius often.
4. Exacerbates Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes patchy, scaly skin that burns and itches. However, caffeine, sugar and acidity in Celsius can make psoriasis worse. Caffeine drives inflammation while sugar caramelization damages skin proteins.
High acid Celsius drinks also strip skin’s natural oils. Loss of protective lipids dries out the skin further allowing painful cracks to form. Managing psoriasis requires avoiding acidic, sugary beverages.
5. Prematurely Ages Skin
Collagen and elastin fibers give skin its youthful elasticity. But caffeine and acids in Celsius degrade these proteins faster. Skin then sags and wrinkles appear well before their time.
Furthermore, every 1 can of Celsius contains 35-40 grams of added sugar. Excess blood sugar binds to and destroys skin proteins through a process called glycation.
Premature aging signs like fine lines, uneven tone, dark circles, loss of firmness start becoming visible faster when habitually drinking Celsius.
Healthier Alternatives to Celsius
Instead of acidic, caffeinated Celsius drinks that can damage skin try healthier alternatives like:
1. Fruit-Infused Water
Fruit-infused water is simply purified water into which fruits like strawberries, lemons, oranges and cucumber are added. It has more flavor than plain water without acids or sweeteners that harm skin.
The water content also hydrates skin cells effectively, increasing moisture retention. Hydrated skin has fewer inflammatory triggers and improved texture.
2. Herbal Iced Tea
Brewing chilled hibiscus, cinnamon, ginger or mint herbal tea makes a refreshing Celsius alternative without sugar or acid. Antioxidants in herbs like rooibos and chamomile have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Also, swapping out Celsius with caffeine-free herbal tea helps avoid acne breakouts, redness and dehydration associated with too much caffeine.
3. Fresh Vegetable Juice
Having a glass of just-made beetroot, carrot, spinach or celery juice packs more nutrients than store-bought Celsius. Fresh vegetable juices are alkaline-forming and provide antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
Vitamin C in fresh juices also promotes collagen formation countering the premature aging and wrinkling triggered by acidic drinks.
4. Low-Fat Milk
A chilled glass of low-fat milk offers a nutritional boost without provoking rosacea or acne breakouts. Milk has inflammation-quelling compounds like vitamin D, potassium and magnesium lacking in Celsius.
Non-fat milk also hydrates skin cells properly aiding moisture retention so skin stays supple. For added flavor try adding a few drops of vanilla or chocolate syrup.
5. Coconut Water
Packaged coconut water has natural electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and manganese for hydrating skin cells. It helps restore moisture balance reducing acne and inflammatory skin conditions.
With only around 5 grams of sugar per cup, coconut water avoids the glycation damage of excess blood sugar too. Its antimicrobial properties also prevent bacterial overgrowth on skin.
General Tips for Healthier Skin
Along with avoiding acidic drinks like Celsius also remember to:
- Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables every day
- Stay well hydrated drinking atleast 8 glasses of water daily
- Take skin-friendly supplements like probiotics and fish oil
- Reduce inflammatory foods like refined carbs and fried items
- Wear sunscreen daily to prevent UV damage
- Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
- Manage stress levels with yoga, meditation, nature walks
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly
Incorporating good skin care habits reduces inflammation and free radical damage that worsens common issues like acne, wrinkles and psoriasis.
The Bottom Line
Popular energy drinks like Celsius worsen inflammatory skin diseases and age skin faster than normal. Limiting acidic, carbonated beverages is necessary to keep skin healthy. Drinking skin-friendly alternatives like herbal tea, fresh juices and coconut water avoids damage.
A wholesome diet low in sugar along with proper hydration, sun protection and adequate sleep works wonders to let natural beauty shine through.
FAQs
Do Celsius drinks cause acne?
Yes, ingredients like caffeine, sugar, acids and sodium benzoate in Celsius can worsen acne. The stimulation of oil glands, inflammation and breakdown of skin proteins contribute to more severe breakouts.
What skin conditions does Celsius aggravate?
Celsius can exacerbate inflammatory skin issues like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, hives and rashes in those prone to these conditions. It may also cause contact dermatitis reactions.
Why does Celsius age your skin faster?
Collagen and elastin fibers give skin its youthful elasticity. But caffeine, sugar and acids in Celsius degrade these proteins prematurely causing saggy skin, wrinkles and aging signs.
Can Celsius drinks cause rashes or hives?
Yes, some people may develop hives, irritation or skin rashes from specific Celsius ingredients. Common culprits include niacin, vitamin C, ginger, chromium and chemical preservatives.
What should I drink instead of Celsius for healthy skin?
Healthy Celsius drink alternatives include fruit-infused water, herbal iced tea, fresh vegetable juices, low-fat milk and coconut water. These provide hydration without inflammatory acids and sugars.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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