Can Functional Foods Offer Dermatological Benefits?

🔍 Key Finding Functional foods offer multiple potential dermatologic benefits, including improved skin barrier function, wound healing, radiance, and photoprotection, via antioxidant and signal modulation properties. Larger-scale human studies are needed to further investigate these promising findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

🔬 Methodology Overview

• Design: Narrative review.
• Data Sources: Published research studies.
• Selection Criteria: Human, animal, and laboratory studies documenting the dermatologic benefits of functional foods.
• Analysis Approach: Qualitative synthesis of findings related to skin barrier function, wound healing, radiance, anti-photoaging, photoprotection, and hormonal regulation.
• Scope: Potential dermatologic role of functional foods. Advocacy for larger-scale, evidence-based human studies.

📊 Results Here are the key findings from the provided research paper, formatted as requested:

• Skin Barrier Function: Flaxseed oil consumption reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by about 25% and decreased skin sensitivity. Argan oil also improved TEWL and increased epidermal water content in postmenopausal women. Hempseed oil decreased skin dryness and itching in atopic dermatitis patients. Fermented dairy products improved skin hydration and, in some studies, TEWL.
• Wound Healing: Olive oil dressings reduced wound healing duration by 1.5 days and hospitalization duration by 1.5 days in burn patients. In mice, olive oil accelerated wound contraction and improved collagen deposition. Mushroom ( Sparassis crispa and Ganoderma lucidum) extracts accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats.
• Radiance: Increased fruit and vegetable consumption over six weeks increased skin redness and yellowness, with participants reporting increased perceptions of health and attractiveness.
• Anti-photoaging: Daily almond consumption for four months decreased wrinkle severity and width. Daily avocado consumption for eight weeks increased forehead skin firmness and elasticity. A diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil correlated with a lower risk of severe photoaging.
• Photoprotection: Daily tomato paste consumption (40-55 grams) for 10-12 weeks resulted in 25-40% lower UV-induced erythema and improved MED. High-flavanol cocoa also improved MED. California table grape powder improved MED and reduced markers of DNA damage.
• DNA Damage Reduction: Cruciferous vegetables showed potential benefit in reducing DNA damage. Tomato purée protected DNA against oxidative damage. Kiwifruit increased DNA repair activity. Tart cherry juice increased DNA repair activity in older adults.
• Hormonal Regulation: Spearmint tea decreased free and total testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Green tea decreased free testosterone in women with PCOS. Licorice decreased total free testosterone levels in healthy women.

💡 Clinical Impact Functional foods may offer multiple dermatologic benefits, including enhanced skin barrier function, improved wound healing, radiance, photoprotection, and hormonal regulation. This review highlights the need for larger-scale human studies to further investigate these benefits and determine how functional foods may be incorporated into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.

🤔 Limitations

• The majority of research to date has involved small-scale human interventions or animal models.
• Larger human trials are warranted, especially to help elucidate populations that may benefit.
• Trials examining eating patterns are important, as beneficial compounds in foods exhibit many additive and synergistic effects.
• Further human, animal, and laboratory studies are needed to elucidate the biochemical pathways and molecular mechanisms by which observed clinical effects are achieved.
• Limited research on whole foods, as many studies have focused on extracted food components or supplements.
• Short duration of some studies, which may not be sufficient to assess long-term effects.
• Lack of objective measurements in some studies, relying instead on subjective assessments.

✨ What It Means For You This research suggests that advising patients on incorporating functional foods into their diet may offer dermatologic benefits including enhanced skin barrier function, improved wound healing, photoprotection, and hormonal regulation. Larger-scale human studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish specific dietary recommendations for various skin conditions.

Reference Strouphauer ER, Parke MA, Perez-Sanchez A, Tantry E, Katta R. Functional Foods in Dermatology. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2023;13(4):e2023256. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1304a256