This question has been debated on for decades. Pick up any women’s magazine and there’s a high chance that you’ll see an article on this topic. While there is no conclusive proof that your diet is a direct culprit, all indicators point to the fact that oily and sweet foods definitely have an adverse effect on your skin, especially if you’re prone to acne. So, Is Your Diet Causing Your Breakouts?
There are also certain foods that purport to help alleviate acne problems. The truth of the matter is that inner health affects your outer health. By eating clean foods, you’ll not be introducing toxins into your body… and this can and probably will prevent acne.
1. Dairy products
This is a big one. A large cold glass of milk goes with just about anything that’s good – cookies and chocolate cake are just two examples, and let’s not even get started on ice cream. The problem is that most of the milk we drink is from pregnant cows, whose systems are churning with hormones.
Dairy stimulates your oil glands, and that’s the last thing that any person with acne needs. Try cutting dairy out of your diet for 10 days to 2 weeks and see if it makes a noticeable difference to your skin.
2. Fried, greasy food
Cheeseburgers, pizza, fried chicken and all those oh-so-delicious fast foods simply ooze with oil and fat. Not only do they indirectly cause acne, but these foods also stress your system… and guess what? Yes, stress causes acne.
Interestingly, though, there are some in the medical community who are convinced that it isn’t fat that’s the culprit. They claim that it is the highly-refined carbohydrates used in all these foods that cause real harm.
Carbs like these are very quickly broken down into sugar. Your insulin levels go up sharply, your body produces more sebum and you get more clogged pores. Either way, it’s best to avoid these foods or only indulge in them occasionally.
3. Juices, smoothies and cereals
This may come as a shocker because most people are led to believe that these foods are good for health. While certain fruit juices, vegetables, pulses and nuts will help minimize your acne and keep your skin healthy, these must be consumed in their natural form.
Avoid processed and commercially-prepared juices, smoothies and cereals that are often loaded with sugar. There is a common statistic that the average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar a day. This is one of the reasons why.
People mistakenly forgo the soda for the bottle of juice without realizing that the processed juice has lots of sugar in it too. The goodness and fiber from the fruits and vegetables get lost in the processing.
It’s best to either get your own juicer or eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. When it comes to cereal, there are now many artisans who make genuinely healthy, preservative-free combinations. Look around your area and be sure to try out a few before you settle on one.
When dining out, the kindest way to treat yourself is to stick with plain water. Speaking of water, let’s look at a few of the foods and beverages that help you battle stubborn acne.
4. Water
What happens to your skin when you haven’t been drinking enough water? That’s right – even on humid days, it can get dry or even scaly, if you don’t do anything about it. Slapping on the moisturizer helps, but you’d also have to increase your water intake to tackle the root of the problem instead of merely treating the symptom.
The skin is a vital organ for waste elimination. If you don’t drink 8-10 glasses a day, waste that would normally be processed through the liver and kidneys gets diverted to the skin. This messes with your skin’s pH and creates an ideal environment for bacteria.
5. Avocadoes
This creamy, nutty flavorful fruit is excellent for your skin. Avocadoes are rich in both Vitamins E and C, which are vital for good skin health. (Just make sure you don’t eat it on a refined-carb piece of toast – sprouted grain bread is a great alternative).
6. Garlic
Garlic seems to pop up in virtually every health-related article and for good reason. Its anti-inflammatory properties are legendary. This is an easy ingredient to work into your diet because it makes almost anything taste better.
Use it in your cooking and you may wish to increase the amount of Italian, Spanish and Asian cooking you do at home. Do remember to use alternatives to highly-refined carbs.
When trying natural remedies, it’s important to remember that no two people are alike. What works for someone else may have no benefit for you. Keep reading good-quality health articles and try out different recommendations in moderation. You’ll soon come up with an array of foods and beverages that make you look good and feel good. You can read my other blog on Acne Control for the Stressed & Sleepless here.
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This website is written by a regular human. I am not a Health Professional. Please get professional medical advice for your specific health needs.