Soft, supple lips feel great and look gorgeous. Sometimes, though, dry lips are inevitable. They can be sore and excruciating, and even speaking can hurt. Eating also becomes a nightmare if you’re craving acidic food that can sting the dry skin.
You might be wondering the causes of chapped lips, and truthfully, it could be practically anything. Harsh weather conditions, licking your lips, using matte lipsticks or lip paints, overusing lip plumper, all are causes of chapped lips.
Yet, through this article, we would like to enlighten you that the above-mentioned causes aren’t the only reasons for chapped lips. If you are not having a proper diet even then your lips may get chapped. This article will focus on telling you as to what diet should be followed if you are working to remove the irritating pesky cells on your lips.
You all should bear in mind that dietary changes cannot cure skin dryness which is caused by environmental or medical factors. Yet, certain nutrients and eating habits strengthen your skin’s ability to resist and heal. Proper dietary changes can increase your skin’s elasticity and moisture level.
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Food Items To Heal Chapped Lips
Following is a list of food items which should be ingested to solve the problem of cracked lips:
1. Vitamin B-2
Lack of B vitamins may cause chapped lips. This vitamin is also called riboflavin. It is needed for healthy hair, nails and skin, and your lips. Deficiency of vitamin B-2 may result in mouth or chapped lips. Some of the good sources of riboflavin include:
a) dairy products
b) eggs
c) green leafy vegetables
d) beans
e) nuts
f) lean meats
Adults need a 2,000-calorie diet and children above four years old require 1.7 milligrams of riboflavin daily.
2. Vitamin B-3
This is another B-complex vitamin needed for healthy skin. Insufficient Niacin may result in dry, cracked lips, and swollen tongue and mouth. Some of the sources of this vitamin are:
a) tuna and halibut
b) beef or pork
c) cereal grains
d) beans
e) green leafy vegetables
f) milk.
It is recommended that 13 to 20 milligrams of niacin per day should be consumed.
3. Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 deficiency is also related to cracks at the corners of the mouth. Food sources of B-6 include:
a) meats
b) whole grains
c) legumes
d) green leafy vegetables.
Adult men and women up to age 50 should preferably consume 1.3 milligrams of this vitamin per day.
4. Zinc:
Dry skin, cracked lips, and tongue are considered to be caused due to zinc deficiency. Foods containing zinc include:
a) whole grains
b) beef and pork
c) turkey
d) beans
e) nuts
f) Ricotta, Swiss and Gouda cheese.
Your diet should provide at least 10 to 25 milligrams of zinc each day. Yet, consuming 100 milligrams of zinc per day can also be toxic.
5. Vitamin A:
This vitamin is linked to dry skin and lips. Foods high in vitamin A include:
a) dark-green leafy vegetables
b) yellow-orange fruits and vegetables
c) beef, calf and poultry liver
d) eggs
e) dairy products
It should be noted that consuming excessive Vitamin A may also increase the toxic level in the body. So try to stick to the least level of Vitamin A in the body so that it can provide the basic nourishment.
6. Vitamin B-12:
This is also called cobalamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that repairs damaged lips. Further, it relieves dry and cracked lips and aids in the healing process. It also helps to moisturize your lips and lowers the risk of anemia. This has been explained in the book “The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies: Thousands of Tips and Techniques Anyone Can Use to Heal Everyday Health Problems.” Foods rich in vitamin A include:
a) clams
b) beef
c) Brie cheese
d) eggs
e) skim milk
f) roasted turkey and chicken
g) salmon.
The recommended daily dosage for this vitamin is 2.4 mcg for adults.
Foods Which Cause Chapped Lips
Although, no particular food item causes chapped lips but to be on the safer side you should stay away from some food items. The list goes as follows:
a) Low-nutrient foods, such as white bread, candy, and potato chips
b) Caffeine and alcohol can even dry out your skin.
c) Foods rich in unhealthy fats, such as meat and fried foods.
d) High-fat dairy products can increase inflammation on your skin.
The above-mentioned list of food products may not harm your lips per se but they will not benefit them. So, if you have chapped lips try to avoid these products as they may lead to soreness or inflammation on your lips.
Remedies For Chapped Lips
There are various ways that can help solve the problem of chapped lips. We have a couple of Home Remedies for chapped skin around fingernails as well. You will be surprised to know, most of the remedies are linked to your diet plans. Some of the remedies are mentioned herein:
1. Drink Plenty Of Water
Water has many benefits for your body. Water helps in fighting against dehydration. It also provides hydration to the lips.
2. Lemon Ointment
It is considered a natural bleach for the lips. You can use it in the following manner:
- Take 1 tbsp. of lemon and honey.
- Add ½ tbsp. castor oil and mix it.
- Apply it daily before going to bed.
3. Aloe Vera
It is one of the best natural remedies as it provides proper nutrients to the lips. It helps to form a protective layer on the lips. Antioxidants and moisture are absorbed when this protective layer is maintained for some time.
4. Natural Oil
You can use coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil to soften the lips and remove the dark spots from the lips. For significant results, you must apply it twice a day.
5. Take Fruit Juices
They often help accumulate heat in the body and make the skin dry. Fruit juice also helps in the dissipation of heat.
6. Use Ice
In case of bleeding, apply ice on your lips. This would help in hydration and also in stopping the blood flow.
We hope that this article would have enlightened you on the fact that diet is a major cause behind chapped lips. Thus, try to maintain a balanced diet by incorporating all the above-mentioned vitamins in your diet. In this way your lips will remain gorgeous and beautiful as ever.
