The Food Factor - The Truth About Diet And Acne

Some people think that what you eat doesn't affect your acne at all. Others are sure it does. Don’t eat that — you’ll get zits! We’ve all heard it; from parents, friends or even the family doctor. But the fact is, even after extensive study, scientists have not found a connection between diet and acne.
According to the Academy of Dermatology, a healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin, but they also note that greasy or sugary foods do not cause acne. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should make a habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so what’s good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too.

You should increase the intake of foods that may improve acne condition. Such foods include fish like halibut, salmon, tuna, sardines. These can make a positive difference in your skin's health. Increase the intake of vegetables, preferably organic. Try a variety of vegetables instead of just few ones. The combination of fish and vegetables can be the best meal from the point of view of improving health and acne. Drink a lot of water. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water can keep you safe from bowel diseases and acne.

How can foods contribute to acne?
Foods high in fats can make your skin more oily. The oilier your skin is, the easier it is for pores to get blocked. Hormones in some foods - especially dairy products - can affect the hormone levels in the body, and this in turn can affect acne. Foods that are high in sugar can increase inflammation, and this can influence inflammatory acne. Some people may have food sensitivities that will show in the condition of their skin.
It's possible that a lack of some nutrients may influence acne. The skin is one of the organs that help to excrete toxins. If these toxins build up in the skin - well, I think you can guess what can happen.

Good foods for acne
Meaning they make it better - or at least don't make it worse

• Whole grain foods like whole wheat bread and brown rice
• Foods that are low in saturated fats
• Soy milk
• Organic or free-range poultry
• Sweeteners that are less processed, like honey and maple syrup
• Lots of different kinds of vegetables
• Fruits, especially orange ones (high in vitamin A) and berries

Bad foods for acne
Meaning they have a good chance of making your acne worse

• Foods that are high in saturated or trans fats
• Anything made with refined (white) sugar - including candy, soda, cookies and other baked goods
• Milk and milk products, including ice cream and cheese
• Foods made with processed (white) flour - including white bread, white rice, and pasta
• Meat, especially red meat

Questionable foods for acne
Worse acne reactions may be individual

• Poultry - chicken and turkey
• Caffeine
• Chocolate - it may be the white sugar or the milk, rather than the cocoa, that makes acne worse
• Fish - salmon and other fish that are high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids are good for acne

Overall, use your common sense. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet — but don’t be afraid to indulge your cravings every now and then.

The Acne diet is entirely based on isolated incidents of various individuals; however following some of the suggestions may lower acne occurrences for some. While none of these theories have been proven, there are many people who believe chocolate and sugar cause acne. Restricting ingestion of foods containing these two components may decrease acne to a degree.