Can Diet Help Acne?
By Chelle S.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “You are what you eat” you may wonder how different foods can impact not only your overall health but your appearance as well. While foods such as French fries and chocolate are mostly rumors and not causes for acne on their own, there is a strong correlation between nutrition and diet and the appearance of your skin.
There are many different food choices available for us to eat each day. Some foods are very good for us to eat, such as fresh fruits and vegetables loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Other foods such as cakes and cookies do not have a lot of nutritional value, and contain starches and sugars that can affect your blood sugar and insulin levels. Some foods can actually trigger certain hormones to be released that can cause changes in our skin and our appearance. When you are eating a lot of unhealthy food choices, it limits the amount of healthy foods in your diets, which can make it difficult for your skin and body to get all of the nutrients it needs.
If you’d like to see if making a few changes in your diet can have an effect on the appearance of your skin or cure your acne problems, here are some tips to consider:
1. Switch to Whole Grains: Whole grains are foods such as whole grain pasta, whole grain rice, whole grain bread, and whole grain cereals. They are typically brown in appearance. Refined grains are usually white in appearance and are used for making white bread, regular pasta, white rice, and white flour. It is believed that by eating whole grain foods you will have more stable blood sugar levels which can help you have clearer skin. Researchers at Royal Melbourne Hospital found that those who ate a low glycemic diet after twelve weeks saw a 50% improvement in their acne condition.
2. Eat Your Veggies: Many commercially available acne products boast of using vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in their creams, lotions, and supplements. Eating a lot of veggies will naturally increase the amount of antioxidants in your blood stream. They are also a very good source for getting the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals you need each day without going to the expense of costly vitamin and mineral supplements.
3. Eat Yogurt: While there is little scientific research done on how yogurt helps with combating skin blemishes, it is believed that the good bacteria in yogurt can help with decreasing the amount of bad bacteria that causes breakouts and pimples to occur. It is also believed that the natural ph balance can also be healthy for your skin.
If you eat a healthy and sensible diet that is well balanced amongst the food groups, you will likely start noticing improvements in both how you feel as well as how you look. However, it is important to know that not all acne can be treated with diet alone, as many other underlying conditions such as hormonal imbalances can also play a role in the appearance of your skin. Speaking to your dermatologist can help you find the best solution and treatment plan for taking care of your skin.
For more information on eating healthy and its effects on your skin, you may enjoy the author's articles on free diet meal plans and how to cure acne.