Nutritional Tips – The formula for flawless, pure skin could be that simple. But unfortunately, it isn’t because many factors influence our skin’s appearance. Nevertheless, our diet affects our skin which should not be underestimated. So if you tend to get blackheads and pimples (papules), you should pay more attention to a balanced diet – and reduce some foods. Nutritional tips and care for better skin are essential.
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More Green Vegetables
For many, green smoothies are the epitome of a healthy lifestyle and can also positively affect your skin. The reason: They contain many essential micronutrients and the active ingredient “chlorophyll.” Chlorophyll is instrumental in photosynthesis and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for soothing skin from within and reducing inflammation.
By the way, you can quickly identify vegetables with a lot of chlorophyll because the molecules of this active substance give plants their green color. Means: You can find a lot of chlorophyll in dark green vegetables, for example:
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Green paprika
Fewer Foods With A High Glycemic Load
Food’s glycemic index (GI) describes how quickly and powerfully it spikes blood sugar levels after consumption. These are not only sweet foods such as chocolate but also products made from white flour or potatoes. The glycemic load (GL) also combines the GI with the carbohydrate density of the food. A little more specifically: For example, different vegetables can have a similarly high GI as white flour products – but the latter has significantly more carbohydrates. So it means that the GL is higher.
And now for the exciting finding for people with impure skin prone to pimples – These sex hormones can boost sebum production and affect the growth of cells, which can lead to keratinization.
Foods With A Low Glycemic Load Include
- Wholegrain bread
- Vegetables, eg cauliflower, lamb’s lettuce
- Avocado
- Olives
Nutritional Tips – More Foods With Antioxidants
Antioxidants, free radicals, oxidative stress – you’ve probably heard of these terms before. Many different triggers trigger oxidative stress: smoking, lack of sleep, alcohol, and psychological stress are among the most well-known triggers. Oxidation takes place in everybody to a certain extent, but the triggers mentioned increase it unnecessarily.
The antioxidants mentioned checkmate the free radicals, which is why they are also called radical scavengers. Therefore, to reduce oxidative stress and stop the processes mentioned, you should eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, e.g., in the form of vitamins C and E:
- Fruits – berries, citrus fruits.
- Vegetables – tomatoes, salads.
- Oilseeds, nuts, and nut oils (e.g., walnut oil).
Fewer Dairy Products
All cheese lovers are intense – milk and dairy products such as quark, yogurt, and cheese are strongly suspected of promoting acne symptoms such as blackheads. Researchers from various studies compared thousands of young people’s diets and skin conditions. It is found that people who regularly consume milk and milk products suffer from blemished skin more often and more severely.
Hormones such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a breakdown product of the male sex hormone testosterone – are also associated with acne. Milk and dairy products may contain hormones that can increase levels of DHT. Elevated levels of DHT increase the activity of the sebaceous glands, causing more sebum to produce. And excess sebum is to blame for clogged sebum glands and the formation of blackheads and pimples.
Conclusion
To reduce the appearance of acne, it makes sense to reduce the consumption of milk and dairy products. However, a complete changeover from one day to the next is often unnecessary, so you don’t necessarily have to do without your morning cappuccino. Luckily, plant-based alternatives like oat milk are gaining in popularity anyway, and they’re also better for the environment on average.
