Dermatologists aren’t buying it. Yes, psoriatic skin has hydration issues. “Because the skin barrier in psoriasis is abnormal, you can lose water through the skin,” says Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, a dermatologist who specializes in psoriasis treatment at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Applying moisturizer to damp skin, he says, is important for hydrating psoriasis plaques. But drinking water “is a different kind of hydrating,” Dr. Feldman says. “There isn’t any evidence that we know of that suggests drinking more water improves psoriasis.” By the way, there isn’t much research to indicate that drinking extra water has any impact on skin hydration or appearance in individuals with healthy skin either, according to Mayo Clinic. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that women need about 11.5 cups of fluid a day and men need about 15.5 cups per day. That recommendation covers fluids obtained from water, other beverages, and food — about 20 percent of daily fluid intake comes in the form of what you eat, not what you drink. If your urine is colorless or light yellow and you rarely feel thirsty, that’s an indication that you’re hydrating appropriately. People with psoriasis can follow the same hydration guidelines as everyone else, says Feldman. “They don’t need to drink more water because of their condition, and there isn’t any evidence that drinking more will improve psoriasis symptoms or prevent flares,” he says. RELATED: Hydration Calendar: How Much Water Do You Need to Drink a Day?
Can Beverages Fortified With Vitamin D Help Psoriasis?
Topical ointments with vitamin D are sometimes used to treat psoriasis, but there isn’t strong evidence to indicate that drinks fortified with vitamin D can help with psoriasis symptoms, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. But people with psoriasis often have lower than normal levels of vitamin D, says the Mayo Clinic, a problem that can worsen as hours of daylight wane in the fall and winter. (Skin naturally produces vitamin D in response to sunlight.) Vitamin D is important to overall health for a host of reasons, including helping the body absorb calcium to build bone and maintaining immune function, says the National Institutes of Health. If you do want to up your vitamin D intake through beverages, milk and orange juice fortified with vitamin D are good sources. Talk with your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements: Too much can be harmful. Note: For people with psoriasis who are lactose intolerant or otherwise have trouble digesting dairy products, milk can be problematic because it can irritate the gut, worsening inflammation throughout the body. In some cases, people with psoriasis who cut out dairy see an improvement in their skin symptoms, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Is Tea Good for Psoriasis?
Currently there isn’t any evidence that antioxidants in black, green, or herbal teas will improve psoriasis symptoms, says Feldman. Although laboratory studies suggest that antioxidants may be beneficial in lowering inflammation, the high amounts that a person would need to consume make it unlikely that antioxidants in one’s diet would have any effect on psoriasis, according to a paper published in February 2021 in the journal Antioxidants. Still, it’s worth remembering that people with psoriasis are at higher risk of heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in tea can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system, helping protect the heart and brain.
What Not to Drink: Too Much Alcohol, Juice, or Sweetened Drinks Like Soda
“Drinking too much alcohol isn’t a good idea — it probably has a direct effect on psoriasis,” says Feldman. There isn’t a lot of research on how drinking alcohol may impact psoriasis, but there is evidence to suggest that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing psoriasis and may worsen inflammation in people who already have the disease. This appears to be due at least in part to alcohol’s harmful effect on the gut microbiome. Another concern is that high-calorie beverages like alcohol, juice, and sugary drinks like soda can contribute to weight gain. Evidence suggests that for people with psoriasis who are overweight or obese, treating the psoriasis and following a healthy and balanced diet that promotes weight loss could lead to fewer flare-ups and less severe disease, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Scientists have also linked overconsumption of sugar with chronic inflammation, which can make psoriasis worse. Some people with psoriasis have a sensitivity to gluten, which is found in some types of alcohol, such as beer. Research suggests that for those who have the sensitivity, avoiding gluten can improve psoriasis symptoms, though it may not help much (if at all) in people without the sensitivity.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to hydration and psoriasis, you don’t need to do anything special, says Feldman. “Just make sure you’re drinking enough water to support your overall health while limiting sweetened drinks or alcohol,” he says.
