Best Foods that fight Acne

Are your hormones wrecking your health?   Be it dealing with acne in teens, to oily skin in menopause, women go through a lot every month thanks to the hormonal fluctuations that are also responsible for the monthly menstrual cycles. Genetics, stress, lifestyle could all play a role in aggravating problems like acne.

Many nutrients have been studied for their possible impact in reducing these symptoms.  Here are a few that have been known to help you fight acne.

Papaya:  This orange fruit is rich in an enzyme called papain.  Also, papaya is a known great source of vitamin A which is a skin health vitamin.  Papain is stored just under the skin while vitamin A is in the flesh.  Eating the fruit while retaining as much of the skin as possible would provide both these nutrients to the skin.  These not only exfoliate the skin by removing dead cells, they also rejuvenate and heal, promoting healthy blemish free skin cell growth.

Fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds:  Fatty fish like mackerel, tuna, sardines, pomfret and salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts are the rich sources of omega 3 fats. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids have been known to give skin an almost instant glow. These foods can also help reduce inflammation, which is the basic cause of skin acne.  Include at least 30 grams of walnuts or flaxseeds, or two servings of fatty fish in a week to get maximum omega 3.

Cherries and berries:  Antioxidant rich foods like cherries and berries, attack free radicals in your body that cause skin damage and breakouts.  For those regions which do not have access to both these expensive fruits, dark purple jamuns, red grapes, local berries are equally antioxidant rich.  The xanthins and anthocyanins act like antioxidants and thus help repair damaged cells and promote the growth of new and healthy cells while giving protection against free radicals They also have anti-Inflammatory properties – inflammation can occur in various areas and have negative effects on skin health, causing acne.  Besides, these fruits also have anti-viral benefits that discourage growth of bacteria and virus on the skin, thereby cleansing it.

Tomatoes:  Lycopene is a fat soluble vitamin that is present abundantly in tomatoes. Besides being a powerful antioxidant, lycopene is also a carotenoid – which means that it can be converted to vitamin A which is essential for skin health – and a phytonutrient.  Lycopene is what gives the tomato its rich red color.  Lycopene aids in growth of skin pigments melatonin and collagen, thereby reducing redness and inflammation, while detoxing the skin.  Being fat soluble, tomatoes are best eaten cooked in some healthy oil, instead of raw.  Pink guavas are also a great source of lycopene but not as widely available as tomatoes.

Guava, gooseberries, and oranges: The trio of fruits is the best known sources of vitamin C, the best antioxidant that nature can provide.  Vitamin C helps fight acne and clears the skin from blemishes due to the collagen building property. It can also help protect your skin against sun damage which reduces your risk of skin cancer

When you are fighting acne, food choices can be a significant factor. What you eat directly and indirectly affects your acne. Besides optimizing on the above skin health foods, the following points are also worth paying attention to:

Hydrate! :  Drink plenty of clear water or tender coconut water to get the required levels of hydration that prevents skin dryness and acne. Water also helps to flush out internal toxins and hydrate the skin from inside out. A well hydrated skin looks supple and healthy and glows.

Go natural with your sweets: Too much refined sugar can aggravate acne. This means stay away from candy, sodas, cakes and pies! Try to use natural sweeteners, like dates.

Avoid the fries:  Oily foods like deep fries and cheese laden foods increase inflammation and aggravate acne.  It is best to avoid them totally if there is a acne breakout.

Stay away from alcohol and smoking:  These are the main culprits behind free radical damage and inflammation that results in acne.  Quit smoking and alcohol for better skin health.

Modifying lifestyle, by including moderate intensity exercise, meditation and yoga , and eating a healthy balanced diet that is low in saturated fats and includes plenty of wholegrains are all essential to reduce severity of acne.

Log onto caloriecare to get an antioxidant rich meal fix today !