One of the most prevalent myths surrounding acne is that eating chocolate and other sugary foods causes acne. However a little research into the matter shows that numerous studies have been conducted which prove that acne and chocolate/sugary foods are not related. I can verify this to be true having suffered from acne for 7 years prior to finding my cure.
So what makes people think that chocolate and other sweet junk food causes acne?
The main one in my opinion is that eating foods such as chocolate is a guilty pleasure. We know they aren't good for us, at least in high quantities, so we assume consuming even the occasional chocolate bar will make us break out. When a new spot arrives on the scene the acne sufferer (or even a family member if they are unlucky) can place the blame on the chocolate bar they ate a day earlier. The reason for this is that there is a need amongst us to know what causes something, and when we don't know for sure we guess, and this is how superstitions develop, rather than scientific fact.
Scientific fact can prove that chocolate and sugar do not cause acne, as people have gone on sugar-free diets and found little if any improvement to their condition. But what logical reasoning is there that shows there is any link between sugar and acne?
It is known that surges in insulin caused by fast changes in blood sugar levels (caused by food such as sugar) can produce inflammatory effects in the body. As acne is an inflammatory disease and foods such as sugar can produce inflammation in the body it is easy for a cause theory to be formulated based on this. Yet the practical evidence does not back up the theory. Many studies show this. And logic dictates that if acne was an inflammatory disease caused by unwieldy insulin levels then diabetics would invariably suffer from acne as well. But they do not. And so the case that acne is caused by sugar and chocolate is unfounded- a myth. At best you may find over-indulging in these food adds to the inflammation overload in the body and may contribute to worsening an acne condition, but it is definitely not the root cause for the acne problem.
My advice is to eat chocolate and sugary foods in moderation as depriving yourself of foods you enjoy will only add to the misery of suffering from acne.
Seth Bayram has written dozens of articles on acne, as well as authoring a book that recommends an effective way to treat it. His FaceMaster Course book outlines a simple, step-by-step method for clearing acne, the outcome of his years of research as an acne sufferer himself. Find out how you can cure your acne at www.facemaster.net. | |
