The 7 Foods That Cause Acne and What You Should Eat Instead
Did you know that the daily diet is the one that greatly influences the appearance of those annoying rashes on your skin? Nutrition influences the production of cortisol, and it also causes hormonal imbalances.
What to do? To avoid as much as possible culinary temptations, such as fast food, junk food, those containing sugar or excess fat. In recent years, it has been found that more and more people, regardless of age or gender, are affected by acne.
Most dermatologists consider that there is no connection between diet and worsening skin problems, especially when it comes to acne. But more and more research comes to confirm that our skin suffers from the bad foods we eat daily, and that it has indeed been scientifically proven that a major risk factor for acne is precisely our nutrition.
If you also count among them, maybe you should consider what you eat and how you eat. But until then, let’s see what the most harmful foods are when it comes to the health of our skin.
White flour products
Especially pizza and pasta, you guessed. And the explanation is as simple as it may be: these foods, and not only, because fried potatoes or popcorn also belong to the same category which favors acne, as they have a high glycemic index. And a high glycemic index forces the pancreas to secrete a greater amount of insulin. A higher amount of insulin leads to skin cell multiplication and increases the amount of sebum secretion. And so … acne appears.
Milk and dairy products
Dairy products are also on the black list, as they contain a growth hormone. A high level of this hormone increases the level of sebum, hence the occurrence of acne. Another research that appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2005 highlights the link between dairy consumption and worsening acne. It was performed on a sample of 47,355 women and a group of 4,273 teen boys. Both groups had big problems with acne.
The explanation offered by the specialists would be that most of the milk we take from trade comes from pregnant cows and contains a high level of hormones that can stimulate sebaceous glands. The best advice is to avoid milk and dairy products if you find that they worse your acne. A good substitute for cow’s milk is the almond or sesame you make at home from soaked walnuts and water. Another thing that generated astonishment in the medical world was that skim milk seems to cause more serious inflammatory reactions than wholly or partly degreased.
Red meat and margarine
In fact, the excessive amount of sebum can also be influenced by eating fats. The most harmful foods for those who face skin problems are saturated fats, fat found in large quantities in red meat and in hydrogenated ones, those found in margarine and its derivatives. These foods could be the cause of excess sebum you are facing.
Chocolate and coffee
Products containing caffeine can worsen acne if they are consumed in excess. They increase notably the level of stress hormones that stimulate sebaceous glands, favoring the appearance of unwanted pimples.
But you do not have to give up black chocolate because it has a lot of benefits, but just use it with moderation if you have acne problems. It can only harm people who already have problems with acne, and this is not a factor triggering this dermatological problem.
Foods that have a beneficial effect on the skin
According to researchers, the best dietary options to reduce inflammation are: salmon, fish oil, green tea, vegetables and fresh fruit. They have a high level of antioxidants, flavonoids, selenium and zinc. The recommendation is to give up dairy products and foods with high glycemic index for a period of 6 months for people who have severe acne problems. It is important to eliminate for a few weeks a food that you suspect would trigger acne, because that way you can find out if it is really the main culprit for those unsightly baskets that constantly appear to you.
1. Water
Water is a source necessary for skin health. It is very important to always be hydrated throughout the day. And eat as much water as possible, not just when we are thirsty. Water helps keep skin elasticity and removes toxins from the body.
2. Foods containing vitamin A
Vegetables with high water content, such as cucumbers, detoxify the body and help reduce acne inflammation. In addition, it is advisable to consume foods rich in vitamin A, which are beneficial to skin health (carrots, sweet potatoes, peppers, broccoli, spinach, lettuce).
3. Greens
Instead of adding various spices to your diet that only accentuate acne or your skin problems, opt for aromatic greens (parsley, mint, rosemary).
4. Kefir
Ultra-processed dairy products are harmful to the skin, as we mentioned above. But kefir, for example, helps fight bacteria that cause acne, according to specialists.
5. Shellfish
Maybe you do not know, but shellfish are key foods in preventing skin problems. Because of their high zinc content, they help to control the release of male hormones, responsible for the appearance of skin problems.
