How Carbohydrates Can Affect Acne

July 2, 2012 0 Comments

By Caroline S Carter

By now you probably know that eating refined, or simple, carbohydrates like white breads, white pasta and white rice are not good for inner health, but did you know that they are also detrimental to your outer health. That is right–these carbohydrates can actually cause acne because they digest and turn into sugar quickly and after you eat them, your blood sugar level increases and that triggers inflammation in your body.

Researchers at the Colorado State University found that these refined carbohydrates can affect acne by triggering an insulin response because the body digests them so easily causing a spike in insulin levels which then spike the level of an insulin-related hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 also elevates a person’s testosterone levels which cause more oiliness in the skin. And oily skin means clogged pores which are a breeding ground for acne.

The problem is that many teenagers and young adult’s meals are composed almost entirely of these high carbohydrate foods more for convenience than diet such as pizzas and this leads directly to a higher incidence of acne in these groups of people.

People who tend to eat high carbohydrate diets that have more of the simple carbohydrates are more prone to acne while those who eat less of these carbohydrates experience less outbreaks and problems with acne. So does this mean you have to give up carbohydrates completely so you do not suffer from outbreaks of acne? Not exactly.

For optimal health, you should be eating complex carbohydrates–brown rice, whole wheat products like breads and pastas, and whole grains. Not only are these types of foods good for your skin, but they are also better for your overall health. These carbohydrates take a lot longer to digest and break down so there is no spiking of your insulin levels which is what you are trying to avoid.

Now that you know what you are supposed to avoid and what you should be eating, incorporating these foods into your diet is easy. Simply swap out your white bread for whole wheat or multigrain bread, even your pizza can be switched over to whole wheat. Stick with brown rice rather than white rice, and avoid all white pastas in favour of multigrain or whole wheat options. You may be surprised to find that not only are these foods better for your complexion, but they also taste a lot better too.

Caroline Carter,a former acne sufferer, has written numerous articles on how to get rid of acne naturally and safely. To gain immediate access to our FREE, 7-page report “The #1 Secret To Getting Rid Of Acne Fast!”, go to the website howtogetridofyouracne where you will learn the #1 way to get the clear, smooth skin of your dreams!

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