Coffee is a popular way to start the day. It comes with many perks, including an energy boost for those who struggle with early mornings.
But when it comes to ageing, is coffee our friend? According to facial plastic surgeon Dr Monica Kieu, the short answer is, it depends.
Addressing her TikTok followers, the California-based doctor said: “In general coffee is actually good for you. The caffeine gives you an energy boost.
“Polyphenols are antioxidants and there’s something called CGAs [in coffee] that help reduce inflammation.”
But if coffee is taken excessively, if you have more than four cups a day, “it’s not a good thing,” said Dr Kieu.
She explained: “Coffee drinks are usually mixed with sugar which is very inflammatory and can cause the breakdown of collagen.
“And then all that dairy is also inflammatory and can cause acne flare ups.”
So it’s not actually the coffee itself that’s bad, but it’s all the stuff we mix with it.
But in certain people, caffeine can increase cortisol levels, our stress management hormone, said Dr Kieu.
She continued: “This can cause issues with weight gain and make your skin oily.”
And too much caffeine can affect your sleep patterns. Dr Kieu said: “When you’re not getting enough sleep your skin isn’t repairing itself.”
Dr Kieu recommends sticking to just one or two cups of coffee a day.
But something also to note – caffeine is a very potent vasoconstrictor.
“So when applied topically it is really good for those under eye circles,” said Dr Kieu.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
