Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and excess oil from the skin. The condition usually leads to pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. It is usually prevalent on the upper back, shoulders, chest, forehead, and face. Though it affects individuals of all ages, acne is most common among teenagers.
In this article, we will cover some foods to avoid if you want to control your acne.
How to Avoid Acne
Acne most commonly affects people in their adolescence and young adults. Certain diets can help you alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Also, you should avoid some specific foods to protect against the condition.
If you seek acne treatment, you might be asked to avoid foods such as:
- Refined Grains and Sugars
Refined grains and sugars are known to cause various health conditions, particularly because they can lead to obesity. However, most people fail to understand that these foods can also cause acne. Foods with lots of refined carbohydrates include crackers, desserts made with white flour, and bread.
You should also avoid pasta made with white flour. To prevent acne, you should make a point of limiting your intake of foods that lead to the accumulation of fats in your body.
- Dairy Products
Studies have shown that consumption of dairy products is linked to acne among teenagers. According to some studies, young adults who consume a lot of dairy products are four times more likely to develop acne compared to those who avoid dairy products. The research has mainly focused on teenagers and young adults.
Though it is not clear how milk might lead to the development of acne, you should still consume it with moderation. One theory suggests that milk boosts the level of insulin in the body, which might increase the severity of acne.
Cow's milk is known to contain lots of amino acids that increase the production of IGF-1 by the liver. This has also been linked to the development of acne on the skin. Therefore, as you seek acne treatment, you might want to consider giving up cow's milk.
- Fast Food
Most people develop acne because they consume too many Western-style diets that contain fat, calories, and refined carbohydrates. Fast food products such as nuggets, burgers, French fries, hot dogs, milkshakes, and sodas are typical of western diets and might cause acne.
According to studies, high glycemic load diets, those with lots of foods rich in fats and calories, are associated with an increased risk of acne. The same study also concluded that by consuming fast foods, you are at least 17% more likely to develop acne.
- Foods Rich in Omega-6 Fats
Foods rich in omega-6 fats are not good for your skin as they might lead to the development of acne. Typical Western diets contain a lot of these fats and might lead to enhanced levels of acne and inflammation. This is true because most typical Western diets have high levels of soy oils and corn, which contain large amounts of omega-6 fats.
Wrap Up
Healthy eating can reduce the severity of acne or even get rid of it altogether. Even as you fight acne, you need to consume a smaller amount of fats and calories since these elements increase the severity of acne. Thus, acne treatment starts from knowing what is right for your body and sticking to healthy eating habits. Seek professional advice if your acne is especially severe or isn’t clearing up as you would like.