There are myths linking certain foods, including chocolate, to the development of acne. But this is the good news for all chocolate lovers: skin care experts agree that chocolate per se will not cause acne breakouts. The primary causes of acne are a buildup of dead skin cells within the pore, an excess of skin oil (called sebum), and a proliferation of acne-causing bacteria.
Acne can be triggered by certain conditions such as:
- Genetic syndrome in the family
- Activation of inflammation through scratching
- Hormonal changes — which have the greatest impact on sebum production
- Bacteria infection
- Anabolic steroids
- Extreme stress
- Restless sebaceous glands
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
There is little evidence that chocolate or any specific fatty foods can cause acne, but a high-sugar/high-fat diet may increase sebum production and promote inflammatory responses in the body — which can lead to acne. Although sugary and fatty foods cannot be blamed directly for the acne breakouts, overindulging in these kinds of food can increase your chances of developing the condition and may displace other nutrients that are critical to the skin’s health.
However, if a reaction does occur, it also depends on the individual and other factors including: overall diet, their genetic predisposition to acne and other health factors.
To stay on the safe side, you should eat more fruits and vegetables. And when you need a chocolate, try to stick to dark over white or milk varieties. Milk and white chocolate overall have more dairy, sugar and other additives than dark chocolate.
Leave a Reply