Why are sardines the new beauty food?

Forget the viral carrot salad: sardines—the smelly little fish your grandmother probably has in her pantry—are the newest beauty food. These days, they are advertised as “Nature skin care“”Natural vitamins“, or even”Natural Botox“It’s definitely a big trend on TikTok.” Shira Feder, MDsays Montefiore Einstein, M.D., an associate professor of dermatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Creators pay Canned treats They claim that eating a few a day can give you “glass skin,” a pillar of K-beauty and a coveted aesthetic that includes Dewy, almost transparent skin. Jacqueline Venona, a recipe developer with 68,000 followers, calls it both “the secret to glowing skin.” Tik Tok Demonstration of how to prepare “Glowing Sardine Salad”. Another influencer, @ally.renee1 (1.4 million followers), announces That “maturity is realizing that sardines are the real product that looks great” as she eats them over potato chips.

If you’re a follower of online fads, the current sardine craze makes a lot of sense: combining three separate social media obsessions — canned fish, eating skincare products, and having dinner with the girls (yes, people make… Sardine-centric grazing boards) – In one, sardines represent a perfect storm for internet virality. But is the hype surrounding its beauty benefits actually legitimate? Here’s what to know before you swallow hook, line and sinker.

Yes, sardines are good for your skin.

While sardines contain a lot of nutrients, including protein, Vitamin Dand Calcium, Omega 3 fatty acids They are primarily responsible for celebrities Skin health benefits. These are “the essential anti-inflammatory fats we need to consume from food,” according to The Verge. Anthea Levy, MS, RD, Brooklyn-based health writer and founder of Alive+Well Nutrition, since the body can’t make them on its own. In particular, sardines are particularly rich in two main types of omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), says Dr. Feder.

Within the two outer layers of the skin, the dermis and epidermis, Omega-3 is modified ignition It may help reduce collagen damage caused by Exposure to ultraviolet rays“In other words, they reduce the risk,” says Levy Premature skin aging Caused by ultraviolet rays in sunlight, according to Dr. Feder (not to mention the dangers of… melanoma). In addition, they also perform other important functions, such as protection Heart healthAge-related prevention Cognitive declineand promote fetal brain development during Pregnancy.