The skin can stretch to accommodate changes in body size, mainly due to fluctuation in weight, pregnancy, and muscle gain. If this happens too quickly, the elastic and collagen tissues found in the skin might break, hence stretch marks. They normally appear as pink, purple, or red lines. After some time, when blood vessels heal, these lines fade becoming less noticeable. It is estimated that around 80 per cent of the entire population has had stretch marks. They are common during pregnancy since there are rapid developments in the body.

Here are some ways of preventing stretch marks:

Keeping the Body Hydrated

By drinking enough water, the skin is kept soft and hydrated. Soft skin does not develop stretch marks frequently like dry skin. Medical experts recommend daily water intake of 72 ounces for women and 104 ounces for men. Taking beverages that contain caffeine, like coffee, could increase the risk of developing stretch marks. It is advisable to balance out the drinks with a lot of water or herbal tea.

Eating Nutrients-Packed Foods

By lacking enough nutrition in certain areas, stretch marks can occur. You should eat food that boosts the health of the skin. Ensure you take enough vitamins, Zink, and protein. One way to ensure that your body gets the various nutrients is by choosing unprocessed food with different colors. For example, a breakfast of whole-wheat toast, eggs, and mixed berries adds colors to the plate.

Controlling the Body Weight

This is one of the most helpful things that can be done to prevent stretch marks, whether pregnant or not. It can happen when the skin pulls apart quickly due to rapidly gaining weight or during a rapid loss in weight. Growth spurts during puberty can also contribute. Others like bodybuilders can notice them after attaining big gains from using steroids or workouts. Therefore, one should work to control rapid changes in the body from happening and eating healthy diets and exercising to manage weight.

Taking a Lot of Vitamin D

In a study, it was found that there is a relationship between low intake of vitamin D and the occurrence of stretch marks. Although there is a need for more research, the results suggested that when a healthy level of vitamin D is maintained, stretch marks are reduced. The easiest way to get vitamin D is by exposure to the sun. This vitamin is also available in cereals, bread, and dairy products like yogurt and milk.