The Worst Foods That Cause Acne
Did you know that what you eat could have a direct impact on your skin? This is especially true for individuals that suffer from acne. If you have woken up to the most disastrous, acne-ridden skin even after having somewhat smooth skin for days, chances are that something that you’ve recently consumed has messed up with your skin and aggravated your acne. There are certain foods that cause acne and have the potential to wreak havoc on your skin. Since I have realized the fact that what we put into our bodies can actually cause our acne to become worse, I have been very careful with my diet and I would advise you to do the same!
There are various foods that cause acne and the bad news is they are all delicious and we can’t imagine skipping out on some of them! However, if you crave acne-free, clear and fresher looking skin, you will have to minimize these items from your diet.
The Top 10 Foods That Cause Acne
Keeping the myths aside, there are in fact tons of foods that cause acne and nutritionists have been hard at work to associate a link between our diet and acne. Though at times, a direct connection is difficult to find but changing diets of people involved in different studies and experiments have led to the conclusion that diet plays a crucial role in causing acne. You need to keep a check on the foods that cause acne and minimize their intake in order to improve the condition of your skin.
There are now numerous detox diets and cleanses that one can use to eliminate all such types of foods from their diet with ease. In order to win the fight against acne, it is crucial to find out what foods are the actual culprit!
1. Refined Carbohydrates
Diet can very well cause skin disruptions and refined carbohydrates are one of the ‘bad’ foods that cause acne. In simpler words, refined carbs are grains that go through a lot of processing in the food factories, where through the refining or milling process, they no longer have any dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals left in them - bringing their nutrition value down to zero. This is done to create a soft and lightweight final product like the white bread we see in most supermarkets, which is visually appealing. Examples of foods that contain refined carbs include white pasta and products made with white flour, white rice, legumes, pastries, breakfast cereals, etc.
Refined carbs are broken down by our bodies and quickly get absorbed into the bloodstream causing immediate spikes in the blood sugar levels. This then leads to various problems such as hormonal issues, skin inflammation, excessive sebum production and clogging of pores - thus leading to severe acne.
2. Dairy Products
If you have acne-prone skin, dairy products may not be the best option for you. The world is now shifting towards non-dairy products because dairy products have been known to contain insulin-like growth factors called IGF-1, which encourage your body to produce more sebum and thus leading to acne. Don’t even go for skimmed milk or low-fat dairy options, as these are just fancy terms to entice you - leading you towards even more acne-related destruction!
3. Greasy Food
Giving up on those fancy little deep-fried appetizers is not everyone’s cup of tea, but you will feel all the better for leaving them out of your diet once you start seeing some great improvements in the texture of your skin. Unfortunately, greasy items are at the top of the list of foods that cause acne. Such foods have a high caloric content and are loaded with refined carbs, which we already know are harmful to people with acne. If you want to keep acne at bay, now is the time to eliminate greasy foods from your diet!
4. Foods Rich in Omega-6 Fats
Omega-3 fats that come from fish and other sources are highly beneficial for the body and what we need more of to maintain clear skin. However, going towards Omega-6 fats is an altogether different story. Foods that contain omega-6 fatty acids, such as corn and soy oil, can wreak havoc on your skin and aggravate your acne. Overindulgence in these fats can cause an inflammatory reaction within your body, which contributes to acne outbreaks. Take more of Omega-3 fats to maintain an optimum balance and keep inflammation at bay!
5. Whey Protein Powder
Whey protein powder is quite a popular and well-recognized dietary supplement offered to people looking to improve their physique and gain some muscle. There are quite a few reasons why whey protein powder can mess things up for individuals with acne-prone skin. Being one of the major foods that cause acne, whey protein plays a significant role in increasing blood insulin levels by mimicking the activity of sugar. This causes the skin’s natural defense mechanism to go haywire, thus leading towards acne.
6. Saturated Fat
It is not the best of news but if you suffer from acne, it is high time to let go of foods that contain a high content of saturated fats! This is because eating them in excessive quantities can lead towards excess sebum production and ultimately skin inflammation. Regular consumption of saturated fats leads to an increase in the levels of Arachidonic acid in the body, which stimulates the sebum glands, thus leading towards acne.
7. Chips
Potato chips are our best bet when arranging a party or a movie marathon and also when we need a quick fix for our hunger. However, are you aware of the terrible nutritional levels this junk food contains? Chips are probably the worst of all foods that cause acne. These are loaded with carbs that can cause huge spikes in the body’s insulin levels. In addition to that, potato chips are often fried in oils that are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to trigger acne.
8. Soda
Drinking soda is like indulging in empty calories that are of no actual use to the body. Such drinks flood your body with excess sugar that can prove to be quite harmful for your skin. The more the sugar your body receives, the more it adds to your insulin levels and thus leading to hormonal imbalances. Limit your intake of sodas if you want to get acne-free, clear and glowing skin.
9. Pizza
Remember the popular saying “a moment on your lips, forever on the hips”? That is quite true for pizza, but now a connection can be made to the skin as well. Pizza being ridiculously addictive and scrumptious is still one of the most harmful foods that cause acne, unless you are taking them occasionally and in limited quantities. It contains all the elements that we have discussed above that can have a bad impact on your skin and cause breakouts. It has carbs, gluten, and dairy all in one and thus a whole package for if you want to further aggravate your skin condition.
10. Chocolate
If you can somehow let go of chocolates, you might just beat acne in the process, too. Consuming too many chocolates is not the best thing to do if you want to get rid of acne. Chocolate often contains dairy and sugar, which are the leading causes of an acne outbreak. Even if you do feel the need to devour that scrumptious bar of chocolate, go for dark chocolate, which has less dairy and sugar content and will suit your skin better.
Your diet can either help you combat acne or further aggravate your current skin condition. Instead of opting for foods that cause acne, fill yourself up with good foods like fish, fruits, and vegetables that will take away your hunger and flood your body with the nutrients that it needs. In addition to that, keep an eye out for products that will act as a protective barrier and help you effectively fight off acne. My personal favorite is this spectacular Transformation Oil that nourishes, hydrates and rejuvenates your skin and takes away any blemishes or inflammation caused by acne.
What's your favorite food that causes acne?? Mine definitely is chocolate!
There are some great tips.I have to show them to my grand daughter.
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