TikTokers say this soup recipe 'seriously makes your skin glow.' But does it work? Experts weigh in on Glow Soup'
Two experts talk about how what you eat impacts your skin.
A viral soup recipe —labelled "Glow Soup" — has garnered more than 10 million views on TikTok over the past 2 years. This Glow Soup recipe comes with the claim that it makes your skin "glow" — but does it actually work? I talked to two experts and put the recipe to the test to see if it was actually worth the hype.
What is Glow Soup and how do I make it?
This video posted by nutritionist Maty Harrington (@nutritiouslyeasy) offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the viral Glow Soup recipe.
"There's a reason my Glow Soup gets millions of views every year and that's because it seriously makes your skin glow," claims Harrington in the clip.
In the video, Harrington walks the audience through how to make the soup at home using just a few simple ingredients.
"In my opinion, skincare is really all about what you eat," she says. She starts by sautéing one tablespoon of olive oil along with eight carrots, two leeks, and one and a half orange peppers.
"The main ingredients, leeks, and carrots contain beta carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body and is amazing for improving your skin," says Harrington.
Once this step is complete, add 5 cups of vegetable broth and your spice mixture, which will include one teaspoon of turmeric, one tablespoon of coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne.
When referencing the Glow Soup, Harrington concludes, "It's also super antioxidant rich and anti-inflammatory and it's one of my favorite soups because it seriously tastes amazing."
Bring everything to a boil then blend it all, adding one cup of coconut milk to finish it off.
Voilà, now you have Glow Soup!
What people are saying
Manycommenters love the viral Glow Soup recipe, praising it as a must-try healthy meal.
"Amazing recipe!" says one user.
"Making this!" echoes another.
Other users offered some helpful tips on how to adjust the recipe based on personal preferences.
For instance, one user stated, "I add red lentils for protein!"
"Made this but added ginger, sun-dried tomato, ACV [apple cider vinegar] to the base and then added in rice and shrimp to make it more of a full meal," claimed another. "So good!"
Does the Glow Soup recipe really work? Two experts weigh in
So, does the Glow Soup really make your skin glow? First, I spoke with Dr. Geeta Yadav, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology who offered some helpful insight on the ingredients used in the viral video.
"Beta carotene is very good for the skin," she says.
"Studies show that it can help protect the skin from free radicals as well as photoaging by reducing the skin's sensitivity to sun exposure," she continues.
Citing a 2019 study, study in particular, Yadav says that "beta carotene also helps inhibit the skin's inflammatory response, helping to stave off inflammation, as well as supporting skin elasticity."
"Another study shows that it can also add a healthy glow to the skin," she continues.
Additionally, Yadav explains that turmeric has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of health conditions and in addition to being consumed, is applied topically."
Finally, Yadav agrees with claims that coconut milk is naturally rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, "which are critical to skin health." "This is because they support skin barrier function and can protect the skin against both photoaging and photodamage," notes Yadav.
I also chatted with holistic nutritionist Nicole Inwentash, who also backed up the video's claims.
"I am a big believer that how your skin looks and feels on the outside of your body reflects what’s happening on the inside of your body," she says. "When you fuel your body with high-quality, anti-inflammatory, whole, and clean foods, your gut microbiome is happy, which means your skin is happy."
"I love that this soup contains turmeric," she says."Curcumin, which is the anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric the spice, helps reduce inflammation in our bodies and in our gut. When we reduce inflammation in our gut, this means no inflammation in our skin which results in healthy and glowing skin."
Trying the trend: I made the viral Glow Soup
Now, it was time to put this trend to the test.
When DIYing the Glow Soup in my own kitchen I followed the video's instructions by first sautéing one tablespoon of olive oil along with my fruits and vegetables.
Then, I added 5 cups of vegetable broth along with my spices, featuring turmeric, coriander and cayenne. I opted for fresh coriander just because that's what I had on hand.
Once I brought everything to a boil, I blended it all together using a handheld immersion blender, and added a cup of coconut milk as suggested.
The entire process from start to finish didn't take that long — and I am no chef — so I was pleasantly surprised. with both the prep and cook time, as well as the final results.
Final thoughts
My thoughts? This Glow Soup recipe really does taste amazing!
It's a great healthy recipe to enjoy on a chilly winter day and it's packed with good-for-you ingredients, just as our experts outlined.
Both of our experts are in agreement that the ingredients featured in the Glow Soup recipe are actually beneficial for our bodies, including our skin.
When it comes to making this recipe at home, it's fairly quick and easy to recreate, which is a win in my books. There isn't a lot of prep or cooking time involved — and you're left with a hearty serving of soup if you make the entire recipe.
Taste-wise, this is also one of my new favourite soups. Curious? Give it a try and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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