Coffee Can Make You Prone To Stretch Marks

Nothing beats a hot cup of coffee to jumpstart your day. But don’t overdo it. Experts say that drinking too much coffee and other caffeine-laced beverages can increase your chances of getting stretch marks.

Caffeine is a stimulant that is consumed by 80 percent of the world’s population on a daily basis. The stimulating effects of this drug make it a popular ingredient in coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, and energy drinks. Upon ingestion, caffeine affects mood, stamina, the cerebral vascular system, and gastric and colonic activity.

While the Institute of Medicine does not consider caffeine as a diuretic owing to conflicting reports, caffeine-containing beverages can increase the urinary output of some people, causing them to lose fluids.

“Your reaction can depend on the amount that you consume, the type of product, and your tolerance level. If you have urinary incontinence, you may experience a greater ‘urgency’ to urinate after consuming a caffeinated beverage. You will need to monitor your reaction and tolerance to caffeine to determine how you are affected,” said dietitian Betty Kovacs in MedicineNet.

Stripped of water, the skin becomes less elastic and dry, making it an easy target for stretch marks. So if you’re a caffeine junkie, now is the time to take it easy and drink more water instead.

“Adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to develop stretch marks. Caffeine can increase your risk of stretch marks. If you're stuck on your caffeinated coffee or tea, make sure you balance the fluids. Drink just as much - or more - water as you drink coffee, tea, or soda,” said MedicineNet.

Improving your diet can also do wonders for your skin. To lessen stretch marks, MedicineNet advises readers to consume lots of zinc, such as nuts or fish; foods high in vitamins A and C, such as carrots and citrus fruits and milk; and protein-rich foods, such as eggs. These foods supposedly promote skin health and there’s no harm in trying them.

Of course, your susceptibility to stretch marks depends on how bad your skin is overstretched. Repeated overstretching due to pregnancy, obesity or weight loss can greatly increase your chances of developing them.

“Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows or gains weight really quickly (like during puberty), that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks. Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it's overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.,” explained TeensHealth, a project of the Nemours Foundation’s Center for Children’s Health Media.

The good news is that this annoying skin condition eventually disappears. But if you like quick results, try Strevaxl, a new product that repairs and renews the skin to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and prevent the formation of new ones. For details, visit http://www.strevaxl.com/.