When you’re trying to put an end to your pimples, breakouts, and other skin problems, it’s so easy to stop eating some foods. But is it worth it? Is it true that the foods you have removed from your diet can cause breakouts or cause certain skin infections? And is it true the foods you’re eating are the best for addressing your skin concern?
In all honesty, the foods you eat can have a significant impact on how your skin looks. From reducing breakouts to calming inflammation, from treating acne to fighting skin rashes, some foods can be your skin care arsenal.
Nevertheless, some foods don’t deserve the ill repute they are known for. Also, some foods don’t deserve the good reputation they are known for.
In that case, let’s unmask the myths about some foods and their effects on your skin:
MYTH: All Fatty Foods Lead to Breakouts
No doubt excess oil produced by your sebaceous glands can block your pores and lead to breakouts, redness, and spots with pus – as a result of bacteria infiltrating the area.
However, not all fatty foods lead to breakouts. Those plant-based fatty foods and oils including nuts and seeds, olive oil and avocado do the body good. They contain skin-beneficial oils and antioxidants like Vitamin E that wonderfully keep the skin clear and healthy.
The fatty foods you need to eliminate from your diet are saturated fats from fries or processed carbs and sugars which can hurt the skin and cause constant breakouts. In fact, processed food is the last diet you need to consider for healthy skin.
MYTH: Chocolate Causes Acne
Chocolate has long been identified as one of the unhealthy foods for both your skin and health in general.
But not all chocolates are bad for your skin. For instance, dark chocolates are packed with lower amounts of sugar and a high percentage of cocoa. Cocoa can provide many health benefits not only for your skin but general health.
One of the best sources of antioxidants for your skin is cocoa. When consumed in moderation, dark chocolates can increase your serotonin levels which are a key mediator of eczema and other forms of chronic itch. Moreover, antioxidant fight sagging skin, therefore, removing fine lines and any signs of aging.
Milk chocolates, on the other hand, are loaded with lots of sugar and dairy products which can trigger skin breakouts or other skin infections. Above all, this kind of chocolates doesn’t have any benefits, and you need to avoid them at all cost.
MYTH: Milk and Dairy Products Prevent Acne
Milk and other dairy products are culprits when it comes to fighting acne. Well, it true these foods is packed with valuable calcium, protein and Vitamin D which benefit the body in numerous ways.
Nonetheless, milk and other dairy products contain hormones which trigger the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum. This can promote acne because excess oils blocks pores and can be good breeding grounds for acne causing acne. Moreover, acne causing bacteria can strip the skin of its natural oils and spew out inflammatory by-products.
Apart from triggering the production of excess oils, milk and dairy products glue together dead skin cells inside your pores, therefore, preventing natural exfoliation. This can lead to clogged pores which can cause constant breakouts.
Not all dairy products are harmful to your skin especially if you’re fighting acne. So, as a nutrient-rich alternative to dairy, you can go for almond milk, hemp milk or soy milk. Also, instead of cow dairy, choose goat and sheep dairy cheeses.
MYTH: Caffeine Leads to Breakouts
There’s a lot of confusing information about the effects of caffeine on your skin. It’s a controversial subject because some say it’s good in moderation, some say it’s bad, and others say it’s best for treating acne.
The truth is caffeine doesn’t directly cause acne. It aggravates other conditions. For instance, hormonal acne is one of the worst conditions among teenagers. When you consume caffeine, you’re likely to disrupt the functioning of these hormones which in turn causes acne.
But, that said, caffeine is loaded with antioxidants that help defend your skin’s protective layer, therefore, preventing skin damage.
MYTH: Artificial Sweeteners are Better than Refined Sugars
No doubt sugar is bad for your skin and health in general, and cutting down the intake of high-glycemic foods and simple carbohydrates, like refined sugar, white bread and soda can truly save your skin.
Aside from causing insulin resistance which leads to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, these foods cause an increase in the levels of insulin which leads to inflammation in the body. If you ask any skin expert, any inflammation in the body is likely to cause breakouts as well as trigger skin-damaging effects.
If you have to take sugar to satisfy your taste buds, natural sweeteners like agave and honey or maple syrup can be the best options. These not only inject essential minerals to your skin but also has anti-inflammatory compounds which reduce the sugary effects, thus leaving your skin smooth and healthy.
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