Your skin says a lot about you. And while some skin conditions are unavoidable, there are several different ways to keep your skin clear and acne free. Many skin conditions, from eczema to rosacea can be caused by what you eat and the way your body reacts to these ingredients. Knowing what will affect your skin is all about trial and error; however, here are some of the foods that often cause skin problems and that you may want to avoid (or reduce) if you are prone to break outs.
According to several studies, including the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics the foods that are often linked to acne and other skin conditions are high glycaemic and high dairy products. However, there are also studies that indicate foods that are high in salt as also known to cause poor effects to your skin including aging.
Here are some of the foods to watch out for:
Red Wine
We know, it’s sad, but red wine can often cause skin breakouts, especially if you are prone to rosacea or reddening of the cheeks.
Beer and other alcohol
Unfortunately making the switch to white wine or another source of alcohol will not decrease your risk of acne and skin conditions. All alcohol, from red wine to spirits, can lead to dehydration of the skin. Alcohol can thus increase the look of dry, dull and aged skin.
Skim Milk
Milk is loaded with hormones which are one of the leading causes of skin conditions. So steer clear of foods that have a lot of hormones in them which are often dairy products.
Shellfish
Shrimp and lobster are considered a delicacy for most of us but they can also be a leading cause of your breakouts. The reason is that these foods are high in iodine.
Tomato Sauce
Tomato is actually considered a good source of nutrients to help obtain clear skin. However, tomato sauce, or ketchup, is made up of more sugar than anything else and can have a poor impact on your skin.
Honey
Another high in sugar product to use in moderation includes honey
Hot Chips
Nothing satisfies a salt craving quite like greasy, fried chips. However, not only are these filled with refined starches but they also contain enough salt to last a week! And salt is another problem for skin as it can lead to puffiness and dehydration.
Spinach
There are plenty of health benefits to this leafy veggie but it is also high in iodine. So if you do notice that your skin seems to react from high levels of iodine, then try to limit the amount of spinach you do eat. Choose other vegies to fill up half of your dinner plate and try to limit your consumption of spinach to once a week.
White Bread, Pasta and Rice
Refined sugars are considered bad for your skin and thus it is best to avoid high glycaemic foods such as your white pastas, breads and rice. Make the switch to whole wheat products to improve the look of your skin. These foods are considered bad for your skin because they cause spiked levels of insulin and glucose levels which may cause a hormone response.
According to sources such as The Doctors, the most skin conditions are affected by hormones, stress and lifestyle. However, around 25 percent of your skin’s problems could be linked to the foods and drinks that you consume. And thus it never hurts to make the switch and try to stay away from foods that are high in salt, starch, dairy and refined sugars.