What Foods Can I Eat to Help My Acne?

In the past, many people believed that acne is caused by eating too much chocolate or too many french fries. However, scientists have yet to find a clear link between these foods and acne. Breakouts are not directly connected to diet. Acne is caused by hormones and overactive sebaceous glands. But there are certain foods that may affect the levels of certain hormones, which, in turn, cause acne breakouts. Cutting down your consumption of these foods may give you clearer skin.

Old Wives' Tales

Acne is a problem that affects over 40 million Americans. Over the years, people have tried to find the cause for the skin condition. Many have blamed acne on certain foods. Mothers warned their children that eating pizza or chocolate would give them pimples. It seemed logical that greasy food causes greasy skin. However, there is no clear scientific evidence that supports these old wives' tales. Acne is not caused by eating pizza or chocolate. Greasy skin is caused by hormones, not french fries.

What Causes Acne

The source of acne can be traced back to overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce a natural oily substance known as sebum. Sebum keeps the skin soft and smooth. Too much sebum can lead to acne.

Sebaceous glands are controlled by a male sex hormone called testosterone. This is true for both men and women. Too much testosterone causes the sebaceous glands to become overactive and produce excess sebum. The sebum builds up in hair follicles, creating a breeding ground for Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium that causes pimples.

Diet

There are no miracle foods that prevent acne, but that doesn't meant that diet doesn't play a role. Eating a balanced diet keeps your whole body healthy, including your skin. The inverse is also true.

A recent study by RMIT University and Royal Melbourne Hospital found a link between glucose, insulin levels and acne. Eating large quantities of refined sugar raises insulin levels. This leads to the body producing extra testosterone. Excess testosterone increases sebum production, which can cause acne. Therefore, while simply eating chocolate will not give you pimples, a diet high in refined sugar may lead to more frequent breakouts.

Foods to Eat

The skin is the intrinsically connected to the rest of the body. A healthy body means healthy skin. Eating a balanced diet will not only improve your overall health, but it may also help your acne. A balanced diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains. It's best to avoid processed foods, which often contain refined sugar. A single candy bar will not give you pimples. However, a diet that consists of a lot of junk food may raise your insulin levels, leading to more frequent breakouts.

If you have a sweet tooth, try replacing refined sugars with natural sugars. For example, fruit juices are much healthier than carbonated drinks. Raw honey is a great substitute for white sugar.

Water

Drinking water will improve the appearance of your skin, as well as your overall health. If you don't like water, you can drink other liquids, such as tea and fruit juices. Avoid anything with added sugar. Caffeine is a diuretic, which can actually dehydrate you. Limit your intake of coffee and energy drinks such as Red Bull.

Benefits

The effectiveness of treating acne with special diets is debatable. However, the overall health benefits of a balanced diet are clear. By eating a diet filled with whole grains, fruits, vegetables and unsaturated fats, you will feel better and have more energy. If you're worried about your weight, a balanced diet can help you shed the extra pounds. And, as an added benefit, it may clear your acne, too.