There is nothing better than a hot cup of coffee to start the day. But don’t overdo it. Experts say that drinking too much coffee and other caffeinated beverages can increase your chances of developing stretch marks.

Caffeine is a stimulant consumed daily by 80 percent of the world’s population. The stimulant effects of this drug make it a popular ingredient in coffee, tea, cocoa, colas, and energy drinks. After ingestion, caffeine affects mood, stamina, the cerebral vascular system, and gastric and colonic activity.

Although caffeine is not considered a diuretic by the Institute of Medicine due to conflicting reports, caffeine-containing beverages can increase urine output in some people, causing them to lose fluids.

“Your reaction may depend on how much you consume, the type of product, and your tolerance level. If you have urinary incontinence, you may experience an increased ‘urge’ to urinate after consuming a caffeinated beverage. You will need to monitor your reaction and tolerance to caffeine to determine how it’s affected,” dietitian Betty Kovacs told MedicineNet.

Stripped of water, the skin becomes less elastic and dry, making it an easy target for stretch marks. So if you are a caffeine addict, now is the time to take it easy and drink more water.

“Proper hydration keeps your skin soft and less prone to developing stretch marks. Caffeine can increase your risk of stretch marks. If you’re stuck with your caffeinated coffee or tea, be sure to balance your fluids. Drink as much or more – water while you drink coffee, tea or soda,” said MedicineNet.

Improving your diet can also do wonders for your skin. To lessen stretch marks, MedicineNet advises readers to eat plenty of zinc, such as nuts or fish; foods rich in vitamins A and C, such as carrots and citrus fruits and milk; and protein-rich foods, such as eggs. These foods are supposed to promote skin health, and there’s nothing wrong with trying them.

Of course, your susceptibility to stretch marks depends on how stretched your skin is. Repeated overstretching due to pregnancy, obesity, or weight loss can greatly increase your chances of developing them.

“Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and boys. When a person grows or gains weight very quickly (such as during puberty), that person may have fine lines on the body called stretch marks. Stretch marks occur when the skin is pulled from rapid growth or stretching.Although the skin is usually quite elastic, when it is stretched too much, the normal production of collagen (the main protein that forms the skin’s connective tissue) is disrupted.As a result , scars called stretch marks can form,” explained TeensHealth, a project of the Nemours Foundation Media Center for Children’s Health.

The good news is that this annoying skin condition eventually goes away. But if you like fast results, try Strevaxl, a new product that repairs and renews the skin to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and prevent new ones from forming. For more information, visit http://www.strevaxl.com/.