Does Chocolate cause Zits
Friday, November 14, 2008 11:45There are a lot of old wives’ tales about acne; that it is caused by chocolate, greasy foods or milk. How much of these tales are true?
Actually it is hard to know what the truth is. While most experts say that acne is a hereditary condition, many people swear that they break out when they eat certain foods.
While most experts say chocolate does not cause acne, research does seem to show that foods rich in iodine can lead to acne. Such foods include fish, beef liver, turkey, tortilla chips and, of course, iodized salt. The theory is that when the body takes on too much iodine, it is excreted through the oil glands. When this happens, the surrounding skin gets irritated, resulting in a pimple.
People who are prone to acne should monitor how much iodine they consume, including the iodine levels in any vitamin supplements they take.
It is difficult to know exactly what foods cause acne because it takes three to four weeks for a pimple to form. It is known that stress can bring on acne flare-ups. This is especially a problem for working women: Not only do they endure stress on the job but they may also wear oil-based makeup that exacerbates acne.
The best bet is to follow a balanced diet with protein, whole grains, fruit and vegetables and to monitor iodine intake. Follow basic good skin care techniques and engage in stress-relieving activities, such as meditation, prayer, yoga or hypnosis.
And go ahead, have that chocolate if you need it. But eat it in moderation, not because of pimples – but because of your figure.
