What is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that causes black heads, white heads, pimples and pustules which are swellings filled with pus to develop on the skin.

Acne usually develops in adolescents though it can affect all age groups from babies born with neonatal acne to matures persons with adult acne.

What is Diet Acne?

Diet acne is acne that is caused by the foods you eat. These foods include high glycemic index foods, dairy products and coffee.

High Glycemic Index Foods Cause Dietary Acne

High glycemic index foods like sweets, white rice, white bread and cakes made from white flour cause acne when they are consumed because they make the blood sugar level to rise rapidly. This results in an increase in the level of insulin in the blood which makes the oil glands in the skin to produce more oil. This excessive oil clogs the skin pores and leads to acne breakouts.

Dairy Foods Cause Dietary Acne

Milk, yogurt and other other dairy foods cause dietary acne since a Harvard study found that girls who drank two or more glasses of milk each day had a higher risk of acne than those who drunk less milk.

Coffee Causes Dietary Acne

Coffee is another culprit since drinking coffee can trigger reactions in the body that are similar to those which occur when one is stressed and lead to breakouts.

Diet Acne Characteristics

Diet acne is characterized by the following:

* Getting acne white heads, black heads, pimples and nodules mainly around the forehead.

* Developing acne after eating dairy products like milk.

* Getting acne breakouts after eating sugary foods like sweets and chocolates.

* Experiencing acne eruptions after eating iodine rich foods like lobster and shrimp.

* Getting acne after drinking coffee.

Diet Acne Treatment

To treat acne caused by diet do the following:

* Stop eating dairy products like milk, yogurt and other dairy foods.

* Stop eating foods with a high glycemic index (GI) like sweets and chocolates.

* Eat more foods with a low glycemic index (GI) like mangoes, tomatoes, carrots, beans, spinach and other fruits and vegetables. This is because a since a 2007 study found that persons who ate a low GI diet had a reduction in acne lesions compared to those who ate more high GI foods.

* Stop eating foods with a lot of iodine like lobster and replace iodized table salt with sea salt.

* Replace coffee with green tea since it is beneficial for acne treatment.

* Eat foods which have been linked with lower levels of acne like those which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and antioxidants.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17448569

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135093/