[LifeStyle] What foods favor the appearance of acne?

[#Steeven.™]

The foods that are eaten can play a very important role in the formation of these grains

Although there are many people who believe that it is a myth, the food that is eaten can be a very influential factor in the appearance or not of acne. And not just some specific foods, such as chocolate, but the entire dietary pattern as a whole.

"Diet is one of the factors that can most influence the appearance of acne, apart from the hormonal factors characteristic of adolescence and the cleanliness and hygiene of the skin. Our dietary pattern, undoubtedly, can influence health much more of the skin and the appearance of acne ", confirms in an interview with Infosalus the scientific secretary of the Spanish Society of Dietetics and Food Sciences (SEDCA), the dietician-nutritionist Andrea Calderón.

In this context, the expert does not refer only to fat intake. "Linking increased fat intake with more fat in the skin is a very simplistic statement and it really is not the case. It depends on the quality of the fat ingested, the total fat profile and many other factors, such as the intake of sugars , sufficient vegetables or correct hydration ", insists Calderón.

That is, some fats are not associated with increased acne. "Quality fat such as virgin olive oil, fat that comes naturally from blue fish, avocado and nuts is not associated with increased acne," says the expert, who does mention lower quality fats, such as refined ones from cookies , precooked, sauces, pastries or fast food as a predisposing factor to acne.

Excessive consumption of foods high in added sugars, white or refined flours and dairy are also related to a greater presence of acne, although, "of course, it also has to do with the predisposition of each one or the physiological stage in which it is found" , insists the scientific secretary of SEDCA.

As for sugar, the first thing Calderón recommends is to reduce that which we consciously add to food, such as coffee or yogurt. "But also, and almost more importantly, reduce the sugar that is already added to our daily products: sugary cookies, sugary breakfast cereals, flavored yogurts or sauces with sugar, whose daily consumption increases the total intake much more of sugar in our diet ", adds the expert.

In reference to white or refined flours, the SEDCA scientific secretary recalls that their consumption is "very high" in the Western diet. For example, daily white bread for breakfast and meals, white pasta, and non-whole grain or whole grain cookies and cereals. The recommendation in this regard is to replace these foods with others "of greater nutritional interest, for example: change pasta for legumes, change both cereal for fruit and nuts or not put bread in all meals", advises the expert.

Finally, the dairy products related to acne are the most aged milk and cheeses. "It does not mean that direct consumption of dairy produces more acne," Calderón warns, but "in people with a greater predisposition to acne, it is recommended that they reduce their consumption if they often drank a lot of milk or too much cheese every day."

The reason is that dairy products contain "hormonal precursors that can increase the tendency, but in no case should it be confused with the fact that milk is hormonal, because it does not have any type of hormone added", explains the dietician-nutritionist.

In addition, "as a curious fact, although it is still not entirely clear, it seems that skimmed milk promotes the appearance of acne more than whole milk. On the other hand, yogurt, due to its processing, is not associated with more acne", adds Calderón .

 

Diet can also reduce acne
The other side of the coin is a diet that can reduce the risk of acne. "Just as diet can easily predispose to acne, it can also reduce your risk as long as we follow a healthy dietary pattern," says the SEDCA scientific secretary.

Thus, "it seems that a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, vegetables and vegetables every day and at all meals reduces the risk of acne and provides a multitude of antioxidants that promote greater skin health," ditch Calderón, who adds a healthy living in general to the equation: adequate and sufficient rest, stress management, an active life and physical exercise. All this "will help reduce the risk of acne," according to the expert.

"Ultimately, reducing the intake of processed products of low nutritional quality such as those mentioned, and increasing the consumption of basic foods in our diet, such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts is the key to acne control. Always together with healthy lifestyle habits of physical activity and adequate rest ", sums up Calderón.