health

Healthy skin from the inside out: the new superfoods that will help treat acne.

In recent years, we’ve seen a strong swing in health from pharmaceutical medications to natural treatments.

Acne, however, has been a sore point. Whilst many natural medicine advocate tea tree oil washes or apple cider vinegar, those suffering from severe acne know that it is only the invasive and often painful face washes or medications that are effective.

But new studies have now shown there is another way to tackle acne, and it’s right in front of you: food.

Acne is both painful and difficult to treat.

Food has long been linked to skin issues. Even as teens we're taught that foods high in saturated fat or sugar will cause breakouts. But a study from the American Academy of Dermatology released this year has proven this to be more than an old wives' tale.

Studying a group of 86 people - 50 suffering acne, 36 with healthy skin - the scientists were able to link certain foods with skin flare ups. A diet that was heavy in high-glycemic-index foods (think sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta and other simple carbohydrates) caused blood sugar levels to spike due to having little or no fiber.

Dark leafy greens such as kale are good foods to treat acne.

 

So, what's the link between blood sugar levels and acne?

That's the part they're not sure about. One reason could be that high glycemic foods not only cause blood sugar levels to spike, but also prompt the release of hormones such as insulin and growth hormones, which can cause acne.

Other research also points to dairy as a possible trigger for acne. Cows milk, after all, is high in growth hormones designed for calves, which is condensed in low-fat milk options. So, if you DO drink milk, avoid the low-fat varieties and stick with small amounts of the full-fat stuff.

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The gross ingredients hidden in your cosmetics. (Post continues after video)

 

Whilst the science behind the study is a little confusing, the prognosis is not: eat more vegetables!

Those suffering acne should bump up their intake of  foods with high levels of 'polyphenols' -  plant compounds that help to lower inflammation. These can be found in deeply colored foods like:

  • Berries
  • Green tea
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Fresh herbs
  • Dark chocolate
  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Red wine.

Yes. The scientists are telling us to eat dark chocolate and red wine, okay?

 

Veggies might be the base of a diet for clear skin, but scientists say red wine and dark chocolate is a good idea, too!

So while the treatment of acne will never be a one-size-fits-all solution, eating well is the start to finding good balance in your body. With every year that passes more and more scientific evidence points to the power of a clean and green diet in helping with everything from mental health to acne.

Time to visit the veggie market!