<--PREVIOUS NEXT-->Does chocolate make you break out? My old boss never ate any chocolate because he said it made him breakout. I did some research on-line and the consensus is acne caused by chocolate (or any food) is a myth. More specifically, scientific research says that chocolate does not effect acne. Or maybe that's what the giant chocolate corporations want them to say! hmmmm.
One article I read suggests that foods high in carbohydrates may flare some people's acne. In theory, the high amount of carbs causes excessive production of insulin which in turn causes more and more insulin to be needed to assist glucose in cells or insulin resistance. Also, in females, the high insulin causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone which encourages acne. More points off for carbs!
I also suspect that a mild allergy is very possible. I think that a lot of people are unknowingly mildly allergic to chocolate and alcohol. I think I'm one of them too. I'm one of those people that get the sunburned look after a few drinks or get a new "friend" after eating too much chocolate.
The Acne Resource Center Online had some good news for me though. According to them, scientific research suggest that chocolate causes a boost of serotonin in the brain thereby causing a calm and stable feeling. They go on to say that if acne is caused by stress and chocolate reduces stress, it may actually be more preventative and not causative of breakouts. They also say that chocolate contains one-third the adult's daily requirement of antioxidants. Wow. That sounds too good to be true, but I think they mean DARK chocolate. Web-Md informs me that dark chocolate -not milk chocolate or white chocolate- contains potent antioxidants and may lower high blood pressure. You have to balance out the high calorie intake though. Also, I read that milk may actually interfere with the absorption of these antioxidants cancelling out the health benefits of eating dark chocolate. According to Web-Md, Researchers say eating a small 1.6 ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you because it's packed with heart-healthy flaviniods.
Well, soon it's going to be Valentine's Day followed by Easter. Be prepared for all the chocolate hearts and bunnies! But since it's going to be there anyway, maybe we should test it out. Does dark chocolate cause breakouts?
You can buy this skin clarifying 1.79 oz. chocolate bar at Nordstrom's for 8 bucks!
Sources:
Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate by Daniel J. Denoon
A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away by Daniel J. Denoon
The Chocolate and Acne Myth - Acne Resource Center
Acne Myths: Chocolate and Sex Causes Acne by Richard Thomas, M.D.
Borba Skin Clarifying Chocolate - by David Candyaddict.com
Labels: ALL, chocolate, diet, myths, skincare
♥Eve Villain on 1/13/2008 09:16:00 PM
