Know your own acne diet triggers and indulge in skin-friendly diet
Contrary to popular belief that diet does not affect acne production seems to be wrong at times when a variety of food items leads to acne development. Taking little care while selecting your food may help in acne cure. Also prevention of future breakouts may be possible.
Various studies have been carried out to find the relationship between diet and acne. Though many studies indicated that there is no direct relation between the two, many studies also proved that diet plays an important role in skin physiology and thus acne formation may be due to that.
The researchers also found out that the metabolic changes in glucose and insulin are due to diet and that results in changes in the skin. Some researchers found out that the carbohydrates with high glycemic index raise blood glucose and insulin, which may be directly linked to the formation and severity of acne. In contrast the diet rich in proteins and carbohydrates with low glycemic index is related to healing of acne or controlling the menace.
What kind of diet is harmful?
Though cannot be said with surety, there are some food items that are known to flair up the acne lesions. They are as follows:-
- Soda, sugary snacks and junk foods are known to trigger excess sebum production leading to acne.
- Hydrogenated fats are strict No-No for many people who eat them and succumb to sudden breakouts of acne. High fat diet also interferes good circulation, which leads to acne.
- Chocolates, coffee, alcohol etc are also known to trigger acne formation.
- Every person is different and so his or her acne triggers may differ too. So understanding what is troubling you is very crucial and avoiding those items usually controls the flair ups. So, if French fries are the triggers for some, for another bunch, the pizzas may aggravate the acne. Keeping a watch on your diet therefore helps.
- Insulin like growth hormone (IGF-1) is known to increase due to consumption of meat; poultry etc. rise in this hormone is linked by some with rise in acne.
What diet is useful?
More than the diet causing your acne, the right diet helps one prevent the acne breakouts. Though direct relation is eluding under most researches, it is definitely true that a balanced diet is the key to healthy body and skin is the largest organ of the body. So, the unbalanced diet shows itself on the skin. When the diet is healthy and balanced, automatically the skin texture and quality improves. Let’s see what one should eat for healthy skin and to prevent acne
- Diet rich in green veggies and fresh fruits is known to make your skin supple and healthy. This increases the anti-oxidant content in your body thus making it difficult for free radicals to pose their havoc. This in turn helps skin too by giving it a quality glow. Green veggies increase iron content in blood, also thus adding good complexion to skin.
- Indulgence in fresh fruit juices, salads, and light soups are known to improve skin condition and thus eliminate acne.
- Vitamin A in natural forms like carrots, yams, apricots, fish oils, dairy products, yellow fruits etc are helpful for a healthy skin without zits.
- Natural vitamin E that is essential for healthy skin is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ etc. being a powerful anti-oxidant; it helps to improve the richness of skin.
- Zinc in whole grains, nuts, mushrooms etc is helpful for fighting acne profoundly.
Thus, despite the fact that exact relation has not been found, one should be aware of one’s own triggers and keep away from them and indulge in healthy foods at right time. Your skin’s health is in your hands!