Skin care experts all over the world have not yet found a compromise when it comes to the question, do some foods cause acne? While there may not be an exclusive study on the relationship between food and acne, it is undeniable that food does have something to do with acne, after all, what condition is there that food doesn’t affect?
The food we eat directly affects the insulin level of our bodies. Since insulin is a master hormone that directly affects other hormones in the body, it is safe to say the food we eat has something to do with our health in its entirety. Moreover, when androgen levels rise in the body, it leads to increased production of sebum which can worsen acne in the body. However, if diet can worsen acne attack, it can also make it better by building immunity for you.
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Foods That Cause Acne
As said, diet may not be a direct cause of acne but some foods aggravate acne cases more than others. For this reason, it is important to know what such foods are and take precaution to avoid such foods.
Dairy
If you have only one shot at removing a food from your diet, let it be the dairy products you consume. They skyrocket your chances of having acne by about 50% and are notorious for instantly aggravating acne attacks. Dairy products include such food as milk, cheese, yogurt and many more. They work like that because they make the body acidic and this weakens the body’s ability to fight against acne and some other skin conditions. While dairy products are bad for acne, chemically produces dairy products are even worse and can single handily cause an acne attack.
Fats
Many people avoid fats but for the wrong reasons. There are some fats that will do your body good and it is a bad idea to avoid such fats. Such fats are called monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats and are found in olives, nuts, seeds, and fish. They keep the skin healthy nourished and help to lubricate and moisturize the skin. That is why you should know the danger fats offer and the types of fats that cause such dangers. Bad or saturated or trans fat are bad because they cause and aid acne conditions. They make it difficult for metabolism to take place and aren’t easily absorbed by the body causing a surge in the cholesterol levels of the body. These fats can also lead to heart diseases and should be avoided at all cost. You will find such fats in processed and packaged foods such as chips, cookies, donuts and other snacks. This is because they actually help to extend the shelf life of these products.
Refined carbohydrates and sugars
Refined carbohydrates and sugar such as rice and pasta can cause an increase in insulin levels. This can lead to increased production of sebum in the body. When insulin is produced in excess, it can lead to weight gain or diabetes. Since sugar is found in many foods, it may seem unavoidable but you can choose the raw unrefined sugar which is in honey, maple syrup, agave nectar and many more. Processed foods such as fructose, lactose, and sucrose are entirely bad for you.
Fatty Meats
Another food you should avoid is pork and beef. This will give you a glowing skin that can keep your skin healthy. Another reason is that animal protein doesn’t easily get absorbed by the body because it takes several days to get to the digestive system. While it remains in the body, it creates toxins that cause acne. It also causes synthetic hormones that can cause hormonal imbalance leading to acne attack. This is not to say you should avoid eating meat completely, you can eat organic poultry and fish or take protein from other sources such as nuts and chickpeas.
Excess Salt
Salt, especially when taken in excess is really bad for acne prone individuals. This is because it leads to water retention, weight gain, kidney damage, bloating and some outward manifestations such as acne. The best way to eat salt is to eat it balanced for too little will lead to dehydration which can also worsen an existing acne condition. To remain healthy and keep your heart in good shape, the American Heart Association recommends 2.5grams of sodium daily. Many people eat iodized salt as if it’s a healthier choice but iodine has been linked to acne. A safer alternative would be sea salt which is available over-the-counter or at health stores.
Caffeine
Caffeine has its benefits, but if you are at war with acne, it shouldn’t be in your arsenal. Caffeine stimulates the production of hormones which can lead to an overproduction of sebum and clogging of skin pores. Since caffeine has also been linked to increased stress and anxiety levels among frequent users, it can directly lead to acne or aggravate an already existing state.
If you haven’t started paying attention to the food you eat or take and how it relates to acne either directly or indirectly, you are already at a disadvantage if you want to get rid of acne permanently. But it’s not too late to start. Change your diet to friendlier options that will keep your internal system healthy and strong and other external attempts will be duly rewarded.
A lot can be said about the relationship between food and acne, but the bottom line is for you to know yourself and your body. There is no general rule to these things as you may take your favorite food with high sugar content and still be fine. Study yourself to know what stands out whenever you have an acne attack and know how to replace it with a healthy alternative. No matter the case, for everyone with acne, food has an important role to play both in causing an attack and curing it. Eat right.
le tang minh
Tuesday 5th of September 2017
Thank you for your post. I drink coffee everyday morning but it does not show evidence of any acne. I think you can eliminate coffee out of list