Have you seen a lady with great-looking skin? One that is flawless and she flaunts in nice-looking wear. She feels on top of the world because she is confident. I guess this is where the phrase “Confident in one’s skin” came about because if you have bad skin, it does not tell well of you.
It may be you have a poor skin routine, you are eating the wrong food or it is in your genes. Whatever be the case, you can do something about your skin. If you have great skin, that is not the end, it is a continuous process. Learn about those foods that can cause breakouts and acne so you avoid them as you flaunt your skin:
1. Refined grains and sugar
Eating lots of refined carbohydrates may increase blood sugar and insulin levels and contribute to the development of acne. Examples include
- Bread, crackers, cereal or desserts made with white flour
- Pasta made with white flour
- White rice and rice noodles
- Sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages
- Sweeteners like cane sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave
People with acne tend to consume more refined carbohydrates than people with little or no acne
2. Dairy products
Milk is known to increase insulin levels, independent of its effects on blood sugar, which may worsen acne severity. Studies show that cow’s milk also contains amino acids that stimulate the liver to produce more IGF-1, which has been linked to the development of acne.
3. Fast food
Fast food items, such as burgers, nuggets, hot dogs, french fries, sodas and milkshakes, are mainstays of a typical Western diet and may increase acne risk. It is unclear why eating fast food may increase the risk of developing acne, but some researchers propose that it may affect gene expression and alter hormone levels in a way that promotes acne development.
4. Foods rich in Omega-6 fats
Diets containing large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, like the typical Western diet, have been linked to increased levels of inflammation and acne. This may be because Western diets contain large amounts of corn and soy oils, which are rich in omega-6 fats, and few foods that contain omega-3 fats, like fish and walnuts.
5. Chocolate
Though why chocolate might increase acne is unclear, one study found that eating chocolate increased the reactivity of the immune system to acne-causing bacteria. A recent research supports a link between chocolate consumption and acne, it remains unclear whether chocolate actually causes acne.