Acne is a common skin condition that most people will experience in their lifetime. Whether you have oily skin, sensitive skin, or acne-prone skin, chances are you’ll get pimples at some point. However, acne doesn’t happen to everyone and there are many factors that can play a role in whether you get pimples or not. One of the little-known contributors to Acne is the high amount of sugar in your diet. Acne occurs when hair follicles rupture and oil glands become clogged with sebum (oil). Sebum naturally occurs on the surface of your scalp and face as tiny oil droplets called microsebum. The microscopic sebum accumulates on the surface of the follicle and forms oil sticks known as microcomedones (small blackheads). In response to increased levels of sebum and oily build-up, your skin produces more oil which leads to breakouts. ^ENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDEND END Sugar rich foods such as carbohydrates promote an overproduction of digestive enzymes which creates excess amounts of fatty acids, lipids, amino acids, and other substances in your small intestine. These substances cause rapid absorption into the blood stream which results in an insulin spike followed by a drop due to low blood sugar levels. This process can lead towards unwanted weight gain and inflammation if consumed excessively over time. While Acne isn’t caused by one specific food or nutrient
## Types of Acne
Certain foods can affect the sebum levels in your body which, in turn, can contribute to acne breakouts. You may experience acne if your diet is high in refined sugar, dairy products, or fructose rich foods like fruits, honey, corn syrup, and soda. These foods are known to increase insulin levels and increase the rate of fat absorption from the intestine. For people with acne, insulin levels increase and the body, in an effort to balance out the level of blood sugar, starts to produce excess oil and oil build-up inside the follicles. Should you have acne, it’s important to stay away from foods that cause excess sebum production and oil build-up.
## Sugar and Baked Goods
Sugar does not occur naturally in whole foods and is actually added to most processed foods and beverages. Sugar is not just found in cookies and pastries, but in many other foods and beverages as well. Added sugar is found in many processed foods such. cereals, condiments, sauces, candies, fruit drinks, and sports drinks. Added sugar has been linked to many health problems, including acne. Excess sugar intake has been shown to cause insulin resistance, insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t respond to the message it’s getting from the pancreas to produce enough hormones to manage blood sugar. This can result in excess fat storage and acne.
## Fructose and Corn Syrup
Fructose is a naturally occurring sugar found in many fruits. However, high fructose corn syrup is used in many processed foods such as soft drinks, baked goods, and many processed foods. This sweetener is much sweeter than sugar and is often used in place of sugar. Like sugar, excess fructose consumption has been linked to insulin resistance, excess fat storage, and acne breakouts.
Studies have found that when people consume fructose, it can slow down your liver’s ability to process fats in the liver, which can lead to excess fat storage. Fructose is also sweeter than glucose and can cause your blood glucose levels to rise and fall much more rapidly, which can lead to insulin resistance and acne.
High intake of fructose has also been linked to increased acne breakouts, inflammation, and excess oil production in the skin. While excess fructose has been linked to acne, it’s not the only problem with this sweetener. Excess fructose consumption has been linked to many other health issues such. elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood, increased risk of metabolic syndrome, and tooth decay.
## Other Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, splenda, and sucralose are often used to sweeten foods and beverages. However, these sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and a decreased metabolic rate.
Studies have found that artificial sweeteners can alter the blood sugar levels in your body, which can increase your risk of developing insulin resistance and excess fat storage. High blood sugar levels due to excess sugar consumption have been linked to various health issues such. weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and acne.
## Dairy Products and Ice cream
Too much of any type of sugar in your diet can cause acne because it increases the level of insulin in your body. Insulin plays a crucial role in the development of acne as it increases the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands.
Studies have found that acne-prone people who consume dairy products are more likely to get acne-prone skin than acne-free people because insulin has been shown to cause an increase in sebum production.
Studies have also found that when people consume high amounts of dairy products, they have an increased level of insulin in their blood stream, which can lead to excess oil production in the skin and acne breakouts.
## Bottom line
Although acne isn’t caused by one specific food or nutrient, consuming refined sugar, fructose rich foods, dairy products, and artificial sweeteners can increase your risk of developing acne. In addition, excess sugar can cause an increase in insulin levels in your body, which can increase the amount of sebum (oil) produced inside your skin follicles. While these foods aren’t the only contributors to Acne, they are some of the most common dietary contributors to acne. ENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDENDEND
