Plastic surgeon Dr. Choi Hyun-nam has shared a list of foods that can make a face look less attractive.
Dr. Choi recently revealed his "Top 5 Foods That Make Your Face Uglier" through his Instagram account. Coming in at No. 5 were ramen and salty snacks. "Salty foods contain a lot of sodium, which causes the face to constantly swell," he said. Excessive sodium intake can disrupt the body's water excretion, leading to edema. When sodium accumulates in the body beyond necessary levels, osmotic pressure causes water to build up inside cells, which can result in facial swelling.
Ranked No. 4 were desserts high in sugar. "Foods like cake and dujjonku damage collagen and reduce skin elasticity," Dr. Choi explained. Excessive sugar intake damages collagen, reducing skin elasticity and making wrinkles more likely to form. It can also worsen skin troubles such as acne by increasing sebum secretion and inflammatory responses.
Fried foods came in at No. 3. "They increase sebum secretion, triggering breakouts and making the skin look dull," Dr. Choi said. Fried foods can accelerate skin aging by increasing the production of free radicals in the body. In particular, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated during high-temperature cooking are cited as a cause of accelerated aging when consumed in excess.
Processed meats such as ham and sausage took the No. 2 spot. Processed meats often contain added sodium and preservatives during the manufacturing process. Such ingredients can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and accelerate aging. Experts advise reducing processed meat consumption in favor of fresh meat, and incorporating plant-based proteins such as legumes and nuts.
Alcohol topped the list at No. 1. After being absorbed into the body, alcohol reduces glutathione, a compound known to protect the skin, and depletes moisture, leaving the skin dry. Alcohol also suppresses the secretion of antidiuretic hormone, which regulates the body's water levels, causing more frequent urination. This process further drains moisture from the body and can worsen skin dryness.
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