Acne-fighting foods to incorporate into your diet
Your diet can have a big impact on your skin, particularly if you suffer from acne. But eating a balanced diet of acne-fighting foods can be an easy and effective way to reduce breakouts and keep skin clear.
This guide lists some balanced and nutritious foods for your eating plan so that you can size up your skin and fight back the blemishes.
Low glycemic foods are the first step in fighting acne and other skin issues
The Glycemic Index of Foods, or GI for short, is a way of comparing the amount and speed of carbohydrate-based foods that gets into your bloodstream. Carbohydrates may be good for you in many ways, but if you eat foods with high GIs more often than not, they can cause insulin surges and spike the production of two substances in your body: male hormones called androgens; and cortisol—a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that makes skin oily and increases sebum production, leading to clogged pores.
Low glycemic foods include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits (limit high-sugar fruits like bananas and pineapple)
- Beans and lentils (these provide protein too!)
- Whole grains (these can be consumed in the form of breads, pastas, cereals or muesli)
- Nuts & seeds (make sure they’re raw)
- Fish & poultry are also low-GI options
Low Starch Foods
Avoid high starch foods. The reason that low-starch foods are recommended for people with acne is that they do not cause blood sugar levels to rise as rapidly, nor do they cause the body to produce as much insulin in response to consumption. High-starch foods like white bread and pasta can be highly inflammatory for those with acne-prone skin.
Good examples of low starch foods include:
- Vegetables (especially leafy green vegetables such as spinach)
- Low glycemic index fruits like berries and apples
- Nuts and seeds (especially raw nuts)
Foods full of antioxidants help keep skin glowing and clear
These yummy foods are high in vitamins A, C, and E; carotenoids such as beta-carotene; flavonoids such as catechins; polyphenols like resveratrol; and minerals such as selenium or zinc—all of which help keep you healthy overall by preventing cellular damage. If you want to get rid of acne scars faster than ever before, then incorporating these skin-loving foods into your diet will definitely help.
Antioxidants are also a great way to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells and cause oxidative stress in your body, leading to conditions like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals so they can’t damage your cells and tissues as much.
Antioxidant-rich foods consist of:
- Pure Dark Chocolate
- Pecans
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Artichokes
- Goji Berries
- Raspberries
- Cranberries
- Kale
Zinc-rich foods
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for the normal functioning of the immune system. Zinc also plays an important role in skin health, as it helps to keep skin cells healthy and helps to prevent acne.
Zinc deficiency can lead to problems with healing, which means that if you develop a new pimple or wound on your face, it might take longer than usual for it to heal well enough so that you can go out in public without feeling self-conscious about it.
Eat these Zinc loaded foods:
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Mushrooms
- Seeds, nuts, lentils
- Grass-fed beef
- Chickpeas
- Oysters
Antibacterial Foods are the acne-fighting superheroes we need
Antibacterial foods are a good choice for acne-fighting because they help to fight the bacteria that can cause pimples.
- Garlic, onions, and green tea all have antibacterial properties. They all contain high levels of antioxidants that protect your body from the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules which can damage cells in your body and lead to cell death if not neutralized by antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E.
- Antibacterial foods also boost your immune system so they can fight off any bacteria that may be causing acne-related breakouts on your skin.
With a mix of professional facials, at-home skin care, and incorporating healthier options into your daily diet – you’ve got yourself a recipe for clear skin! If you need a detailed plan for glowing skin that starts from the inside, contact Trend Aesthetics and Wellness for a consultation to achieve your definition of beauty.
