As the saying goes, “a white complexion is powerful enough to hide seven faults”. Having a fair skin is a wish for many people.
There are many people, in order to whiten, escaping from dark color food far away just like escaping from the a plague.
So there is a saying that soy sauce is so deep in color, and it will turn skin black!
The key is that soy sauce is a kind of senior condiment. Without it, the dish will baste not that good.
So, today we will take a look at whether there is a scientific basis for “eating soy sauce will turn skin black”.
1. Why does the skin turn black?
The formation of melanin is actually quite complicated. Simply put, when the skin is stimulated by ultraviolet rays, pressure, friction and hormones, the body will issue instructions to synthesize melanin, then the tyrosinase in melanocytes will be activated and the melanin is produced.
After these melanocytes move into the keratinocytes of the skin, they can block ultraviolet rays and other stimuli to prevent greater damage to the cell’s DNA.
When the stimulating factors are reduced or disappeared, the epidermal cells excrete melanin through metabolism and restore the skin color before being stimulated.
Therefore, the fact that the skin produces melanin to darken itself is a self-defense mechanism of the body. The ultimate goal is to protect the body from external stimuli.
2. What are the influencing factors of blackening?
It is mainly determined by nature and acquired.
We cannot change the innate factors, which are determined by powerful genes. Acquired factors are diverse, including physical condition, eating habits, and living habits.
Physical conditions
Compared with adults, children’s skin is generally whiter. This is mainly because the stratum corneum of children’s skin is thinner, the granular layer and the transparent layer are thicker, and the complexion is whiter, and the pigmentation is also less.
In addition, the function of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine will also affect the pigment regulation function in the body, leading to changes in skin color.
Eating habits
There is a category of foods called photosensitive foods. They are rich in metal elements such as copper, iron, and zinc. These trace elements are related to the production of melanin, so they promote the formation of melanin.
Common photosensitive foods include celery, lettuce, rape, spinach, leeks, amaranth, cabbage, white radish, carrots, coriander, figs, fennel, apples, strawberries, papaya, etc. Lemon is also a photosensitive food, so it is best not to eat it during the day in summer.
In addition, frequent consumption of fried foods will also accelerate the oxidation of the skin, and the skin’s reducing ability will be greatly reduced, which will gradually darken the complexion.
Living factors
Lifestyle is the most important factor affecting skin color.
Our skin is stimulated by ultraviolet rays, various electronic products and computer screens every day, and then produces melanin. Sun protection is the key to preventing skin darkening.
In addition, sleep, exercise and mental state will also have a certain effect on skin color.
3. Does eating soy sauce really turn skin black?
The skin turns black because of the production of melanin. Can soy sauce promote the production of melanin?
Most people think that eating soy sauce will turn black because of the color of soy sauce. Soy sauce is made by fermenting grain, and its true color is reddish brown.
After the pigment in food enters the human body, it will be digested and decomposed, and will not reach the skin at all, making the skin dark.
In addition, soy sauce can be used to “blacken people”. It may also be because it contains tyrosine, which is an essential amino acid for the synthesis of melanin.
But in fact, there is no need to worry at all. Both tyrosine and tyrosinase will be digested and decomposed by gastric acid when they pass through the stomach, and will not directly promote the formation of melanin. This is just the same as that eating trotters will not supplement collagen.
To give the simplest example, people who think that eating soy sauce will turn black, eat white rice for so many years, why doesn’t it turn white?
Therefore, eating soy sauce will not make people black, and there is no scientific basis for “complementing color with color”.
4. What are the ways to whiten skin?
Sun protection
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the first line of defense against external damage. Sun protection is the most important way to reduce skin irritation and prevent the production of melanin.
Sun protection is divided into physical sun protection and chemical sun protection. Physical sun protection is to block ultraviolet rays by wearing hats, umbrellas, and clothes. The chemical method is to apply sunscreen, use sunscreen with high sunburn and sun protection index, and apply it regularly.
water-supplement
In addition, the skin’s moisture replenishment is also very important. It prevents wrinkles and pigment deposition, which promotes the maintenance of healthy skin.
Healthy work and rest habits
More importantly, health from the inside out, with healthy eating and living habits, regular work and rest, good sleep, moderate exercise and cheerful mood, can have both inner beauty and outer beauty at the same time.
Don’t stop eating soy sauce for fear of turning black
And don’t worry too much about the skin tone
After all, health comes first
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