Do you stay away from greasy foods like burgers and fries because you think they’ll make your acne worse? Although probably not for the reason you assume, there might be a relationship.

Although further research is required, it’s possible that food contributes to acne development. According to some research, eating more omega-3 fatty acids, fewer dairy products, and fewer foods with a high glycemic index can help someone prevent or lessen acne breakouts.

Pimples and other sorts of lesions, including greasy skin, can be brought on by acne. Mild to severe symptoms might have an effect on a person’s quality of life. While there is presently no cure for acne, there are a number of efficient treatments available, including over-the-counter and prescription creams and gels. Alterations to one’s way of life might also assist to lessen symptoms and stop outbreaks.

Some people think that a person’s diet is crucial. According to survey results from 2016, 71 percent of respondents believed that eating fried or oily foods contributed to acne. Others believed that fizzy drinks, dairy products, and chocolate were to blame. The effects of diet are a hot topic of discussion in the medical world. Contrary to what many experts originally believed, recent research suggests that nutrition may have a role in acne development.

 

How does the diet affect the skin?

When the skin’s pores are blocked by bacteria, dead skin cells, or both, acne can start to appear. Additionally, the body overproduces sebum, an oil that prevents the skin from drying out, which leads to this clogging.

Inflammation brought on by clogged pores can result in the formation of pimples and other types of lesions. The body makes more of the hormone known as insulin-like growth factor 1 throughout puberty (IGF-1). According to several studiesTrusted Source, IGF-1 may boost sebum production and exacerbate acne symptoms.

IGF-1 levels can also increase with some meals. Avoiding these foods may help reduce acne symptoms and stop breakouts.

A low-glycemic diet may lead to fewer pimples

You likely consume a lot of high-glycemic foods and drinks if you’re like the majority of Americans. These foods and drinks significantly increase blood sugar levels. White bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, pastries, sweet beverages like milkshakes, and white rice are a few examples.

Results from modest research indicate that eating a low-glycemic diet may help you have less acne. Most fresh vegetables, certain fresh fruits, legumes, and steel-cut oats are examples of low-glycemic foods.

Due to the fact that a low-glycemic diet prevents blood sugar surges, scientists think it may lessen acne. Your entire body experiences inflammation when your blood sugar levels rise. Your body also produces more sebum, an oily substance found in your skin, as a result of these surges. Acne can be brought on by both inflammation and too much sebum.

These results suggest that eating a low-glycemic diet can reduce acne outbreaks, whereas high-glycemic diets have not been linked to acne in other studies. To be certain, more study is required.

Cow’s milk may lead to acne breakouts

Even though cow’s milk (but not milkshakes) has a low glycemic index, some research indicate that consuming this kind of milk may cause more acne outbreaks. All varieties of cow’s milk—whole, low-fat, and skim—have been connected to acne in these research. Here is what the scientists found.

It’s still unclear why cow’s milk may exacerbate or worsen acne. One idea holds that certain hormones found in milk can lead to internal inflammation. Acne can result from clogged pores brought on by inflammation. To be certain, more investigation is necessary.

 

No evidence yogurt or cheese can increase acne breakouts

Cow’s milk may raise the likelihood of getting acne, but no research has linked dairy products like yogurt or cheese to an increase in breakouts.

 

The Acne Diet

Recent research on nutrition and acne has revealed that a low-sugar, well-balanced diet is the best option for lowering inflammation and controlling hormone (and consequently, sebum) levels. Here are our top dietary recommendations for healthy skin:

Drink more water

Nutrition 101 is nothing more than staying hydrated. You need to consume enough water to maximize physical functions because your body is 60 percent water. Since we sometimes confuse hunger with thirst, drinking water is essential for consuming the right number of calories each day. Aim for 8 glasses of water per day because healthy, clear skin is built on water.

Cut back on sugar

Undoubtedly, no diet for acne includes sugar. Unfortunately, we consume it almost constantly, making it challenging to avoid. Limit your daily intake of sugar to the recommended two to four servings of fructose from fruit and stay away from other sources of sugar, such as processed carbs and candy-store goods. Sugar, especially when it comes from specific sources, can aggravate acne and lead to a variety of other health issues.

Cut back on alcohol

The majority of alcoholic beverages are quite sweet and therefore unhealthy. Furthermore, you are literally choosing to put poison into your body when you drink alcohol, and you are likely paying a high price for it. Alcohol has a number of harmful side effects, including dementia, heart disease, and stroke. Aside from your epidermis, almost all of your body’s organs detest alcohol. It, if you choose to consume alcohol, do so in moderation and drink enough of water to counteract its effects.

Avoid processed foods

Because you can control the ingredients, meals you make at home with fresh ingredients tend to be healthier than processed foods because they often contain less sugar, salt, and fat than we need. Culinary at home is not only healthier, but it’s also less expensive. At first, it could seem challenging and more expensive, but once you have loaded your kitchen with the essential cooking supplies you frequently need, you’ll notice. You won’t ever go back to eating from packages.

 

Ditch dairy (but keep Greek yogurt)

Dairy has a lot of sugar (yes, lactose is also a sugar, just like glucose and fructose). However, dairy consumption in particular has been connected to an increase in acne. Food from animals may not be the best source of protein, despite the fact that dairy is high in minerals our systems love, such as calcium and protein, since study after study has connected animal-based proteins to an increased risk of cancer.

You don’t have to give up meat and cheese forever because the research isn’t fully established, but it’s clear that experts now concur that eating less animal proteins and more vegetables is a good idea for a variety of reasons, including the health of your skin.

Try a sugar-free (or as near to sugar-free as possible) Greek yogurt as a source of calcium, protein, and probiotics if you don’t want to completely cut out dairy from your diet.