We often forget that everything in our bodies is connected. One day you eat something, and the next day, you get a pimple. Such is the case with some forms of acne. You just stop eating one type of food for a while and notice that your skin is getting better.
Certain foods agitate the situation and make things worse for acne. Other foods promote acne-free skin. The trick is to know the best diet for acne-free skin that most experts agree upon and make your own diet choices.
In this article, we will explore the best diet for getting rid of acne, or what some call, the anti-acne diet.
First of all, what is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that causes several types of bumps, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads to form on the surface of your skin. These skin issues can form anywhere on your body, but they’re most commonly found on the: face, neck, back, upper arms, and shoulders
Hormonal changes are usually what trigger acne to occur. That’s why acne in older children and teens is usually not a big deal because it’s natural. Acne is one of the major signs of going through puberty.
Acne slowly goes away as you transition from being a teen to a young adult. However, in some cases, the situation gets out of control, which causes a lot of pain. While acne is not a serious medical issue, according to experts, it’s still a problem.
Young people, especially girls who suffer from severe acne, suffer from social anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression.
For that reason, seeking prevention methods and treatments for your acne might be something very serious to you right now.
And one of the best ways to control acne and prevent its negative effects on your skin is to watch what you eat. Your diet might be the most important thing to watch for if you want to get rid of your acne for good.
What causes acne on the skin?
We need to know more about the skin to understand better how acne develops. As you might already know, the surface of your skin is covered with tiny pores that are connected to oil glands. The source of the oil glands comes from beneath the skin.
The oily liquid that the pores produce is what cleans your skin from dead cells and keeps your skin lively. A pimple develops when the tiny pores get clogged up with oil and dead skin. Sometimes, pimples also carry away bacteria, which can worsen the situation.
When you hit puberty, your hormones cause the oil glands to produce excess oil, which is what causes teen acne.
How does your diet affect your skin?
Generally speaking, carbohydrates, saturated fats, and dairy products play a huge role in stimulating the oil glands on your skin to produce excess oil. Acne is caused by excess oil as we’ve already mentioned above.
If your diet is not very healthy, meaning it relies a lot upon carbohydrates, especially high-glycemic carbohydrates, acne might develop. You should avoid sugar if you want to protect your skin from acne.
Also, unhealthy diets cause the body to be in a constant state of inflammation, which can only worsen the skin situation.
What foods are good for treating acne?
Eating foods with low-glycemic carbohydrates reduces your acne. You should go for complex carbohydrates, such as the ones found in whole grains, legumes, and fruits and vegetables.
You should also remember that some minerals like zink are also quite beneficial. Add to them antioxidants such as vitamins A and E and fatty acids such as Omega-3.
Here’s a list of some of the best choices you can have:
- yellow/orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, apricots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes
- dark green and leafy vegetables like spinach
- whole-grain bread
- Berries
- Beans and lentils
- Nuts
- Fatty fish like salmon
- turkey
- tomatoes and peppers
- brown rice
- oatmeals
With the help of a skin expert, you can create your own diet that protects you from acne and doesn’t cause allergic reactions.
The bottom line
Various studies suggest certain foods can help you with your acne problem, but there is no definitive answer to “what food cures acne?”. Add to that the fact that each person’s body is slightly different. That’s why modifying your diet into an anti-acne diet is highly personal and varies from one person to the other.
However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be striving to eat healthier. Eating healthy shouldn’t be motivated by treating acne alone. You should eat healthy because you have to be healthy.