Mediterranean Diet: The Best Diet for Skin?

Can what we eat affect acne? A new study of more than 228,000 people found that closer adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was associated with a lower likelihood of adult acne, although researchers stress that the finding does not yet prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

According to ambassador Arjan; The relationship between food and acne has been debated for years. From chocolate and dairy to sugary foods and fast food, a new list of "fug-causing foods" hits social media all the time. But medical science presents a more complex picture.

What are the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet?

This pattern relies more on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats, and minimally processed foods. In this study, higher consumption of certain cooked vegetables and yogurt was also associated with a lower likelihood of acne, while consumption of low-fat milk and milk-containing desserts was associated with a higher likelihood of acne.

Keep in mind that this research was cross-sectional. That is, it cannot be concluded that, for example, eating vegetables will directly cure acne, or that eliminating a food item alone will make the skin smoother.

So what is the duty of sweets and fast food?

The fact is that acne is a multifactorial disease. Hormones, genetics, sebum production, inflammation, and environmental factors can all play a role. Diet may be an effective factor, but it is not intended to replace medical treatment. On the other hand, extreme exclusions from the diet are not a good solution. If a person excludes several food groups due to multiple pimples, it can eventually lead to an unbalanced diet.

Finally, instead of looking for a forbidden food for the skin, it may be better to look at the overall quality of the diet. New research raises the possibility that overall dietary patterns may be related to skin health, but more interventional studies are still needed to prove that dietary changes actually cure acne.