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In daily life, soy sauce is an indispensable condiment in the kitchen, and almost every household uses it to add flavor to dishes.
However, there is a widespread saying that eating soy sauce darkens the skin, especially after an injury, and it is believed that eating soy sauce during wound recovery will cause the scar to darken.
This claim sounds scary, but is it really backed by science? Today, let's listen to the expert's explanation and see if soy sauce can make the skin darker.
Metabolic processes of soy sauce
First of all, we need to understand the metabolic process of soy sauce in the human body. The main ingredients of soy sauce include salt, glutamic acid, sugar, and some pigments, among others. When we ingest soy sauce, the gastrointestinal tract absorbs it and transports it to the liver through the blood circulation.
In the liver, the components in soy sauce are metabolized into colorless substances that are eventually excreted through the kidneys and intestines.
In other words, the pigments in soy sauce do not directly enter or are deposited in the skin. Most of the soy sauce ingredients have become colorant-free after metabolism and do not affect the color of the skin.
Therefore, from a scientific point of view, soy sauce does not cause darkening of the skin. Experts point out that this misconception may stem from people's lack of understanding of the process of food pigment metabolism.
The determinant of skin color
So, what really determines the color of our skin? In fact, the color of the skin is mainly determined by the melanocytes in the epidermis and the blood circulation of the skin.
Melanocytes produce melanin that is the main determinant of skin color. The amount and distribution of melanin is affected by a variety of factors, including genetics, ethnicity, UV exposure, hormone levels, etc.
Melanocytes protect the skin from UV rays by synthesizing melanin. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, melanocytes increase the synthesis of melanin, causing the skin to darken.
It is a self-protection mechanism designed to reduce the damage of UV rays to the skin. In addition, the quality of blood circulation can also affect the color of the skin. If blood circulation is poor, the skin may look dull and dull.
A common cause that affects skin color in daily life
In everyday life, common causes of skin color change include UV exposure and the skin's inflammatory response. Ultraviolet rays are the main external factor that causes the skin to darken.
When exposed to the sun for a long time, the skin produces more melanin to defend itself against UV damage. Although the increase in melanin is effective in preventing the occurrence of skin cancer, it can also make the skin darker.
Pigmentation can also occur when the skin is traumatized or infected, and a local inflammatory response can also occur. When the skin is injured, the body initiates a repair mechanism that produces inflammatory mediators.
These inflammatory mediators stimulate melanocytes to increase melanin synthesis, resulting in darkening of the skin at the wound site. This phenomenon is more pronounced in people with deep skin lesions, infections, or scarring.
The effects of endocrine factors and drugs on skin color
Skin color is not only influenced by the external environment, but endocrine factors also play an important role. Estrogen stimulates the production of melanin, which is why increased skin pigmentation, such as melasma, is common during pregnancy or oral contraceptives.
Similarly, in hyperthyroidism, skin pigmentation deepens, which is due to the increase in thyroid hormones that promotes the synthesis of melanin.
In addition, certain medications can also affect the color of the skin. For example, drugs such as chlorpromazine increase the synthesis of melanin by affecting the amount of sulfhydryl groups in the body, leading to skin pigmentation.
This drug-induced pigmentation is often irreversible, and pigmentation can persist for a long time even after the drug is stopped. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before taking these medications to understand the possible side effects and their effects on the skin.
Photosensitive foods and skin pigmentation
Photosensitive foods are those that contain photosensitive substances that cause skin pigmentation after exposure to sunlight. Common photosensitive foods include lemon, purslane, coriander, and celery, among others.
These foods are nutritious and beneficial to the body in their own right, but if they are consumed in large quantities and exposed to the sun immediately, they can lead to skin pigmentation.
Normal intake of these foods does not cause significant effects on the skin. Experts suggest that if you are worried about photosensitivity, you can choose to eat photosensitive foods at dinner, so that after a night of metabolism, photosensitive substances are basically decomposed. Lemons contain a lot of vitamin C, and moderate intake not only does not cause the skin to darken, but helps to whiten.
Practical advice to protect your skin from darkening
In order to prevent the skin from darkening, we need to take a series of protective measures. First and foremost, sun protection is key. Regardless of the season, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and choose products with an SPF of 30 or higher and PA+++.
At the same time, the use of physical sunscreen tools such as sun umbrellas, sun hats and sun-protective clothing when going out can effectively reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to the skin.
Secondly, vitamin C inhibits the formation of melanin through multiple pathways, and can eliminate oxygen free radicals, which has the effect of antioxidant and anti-aging.
Proper intake of vitamin C-rich foods in your daily diet, such as fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, can help reduce post-inflammatory pigmentation and help keep your skin fair.
In addition, good lifestyle habits are essential for skin health. Adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, quitting smoking, and moderate exercise can boost blood circulation and make skin look more rosy. In particular, it is necessary to avoid staying up late for long periods of time and high stress, which can affect the endocrine balance and lead to exacerbated skin problems.
Finally, if there is a trauma to the skin, it is important to treat it promptly to prevent infection. Post-traumatic inflammatory response is one of the main causes of hyperpigmentation, avoiding artificial avulsion of scabs, and timely use of anti-inflammatory drugs can effectively reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.