Is it true that chocolate and sweets stimulate acne?

There is an opinion that the use of sweets can provoke the appearance of acne. We decided to check if this is confirmed by scientific data.

On the influence of the diet on the appearance of acne write Popular glossy publications, portals about beauty and health, as well as entertainment resources. Tips to avoid chocolate and other sweets for the sake of skin health can be found on the sites of companies producing Conducting cosmetics. On forums, V Blogs and in services Users discuss questions and answers whether chocolate really causes acne. 

Acneor acne, is a skin disease in which pores are clogged with a mixture of skin fat, dead cells and hair. Normally, sebaceous glands emit skin lard, which through the pores comes to the surface of the skin, but with acne this process Disrupted: skin cells (keratinocytes), skin lard and hair are sticking inside, preventing it from cleansing. This can happen as a result of problems with exfoliation of keratinocytes and/or excessive secretion of sebum. Bacteria begin to multiply in the clogged follicles, which causes inflammation. Acne is different types: from black dots to cysts. Most often, acne affects the skin of the face, but the sebaceous glands are on the surface of the whole body, so acne can occur on the back, chest, shoulders and even genitals. Acne is the most common skin disease, and, although it is not life threatening, it can cause psychological problems. Often it occurs in adolescence due to changes in the hormonal background, for the same reason, women often notice an exacerbation of acne before and during menstruation. Certain hormones provoke the sebaceous glands to actively produce skin lard, which clogs pores. However, in addition, the use of too fat cosmetics or frequent contacts with butter (for example, when working as a cook in a hot workshop) can lead to an effect. But is acne connected with the use of chocolate, fast food and other foods? Judging by polls, the vast majority of acne suffering believe that yes. 

Researchers have been asked by researchers since the middle of the last century. In 1969, the American dermatologist James Fulton spent experiment: 65 volunteers, who already had a moderate form of acne, had eaten either tiles with a very high concentration of cocoa or the same in appearance for a month, but not containing cocoa at all. After that, the experiment was interrupted for three weeks, and then, for another month, the participants received a different type of chocolate. As a result, Fulton did not reveal any significant correlation between the use of chocolate and the manifestations of acne. The sample was quite limited, but even in it (and in approximately equal quantities), people who had either a high content of cocoa acne either worsened or became less noticeable. 

Subsequently connection between the use of chocolate and the development of acne tried find and other scientists. So, in 2014, American researchers conducted experiment: 14 subjects prone to acne, capsules with 100% cocoa or placebo were received during the week. Within a week, scientists tracked their condition three times - at the end of this period, those who received chocolate, the disease was aggravated. The study was conducted on a very small sample and during a short period of time, so its results are caused by some doubts. A more extensive experiment conducted Polish scientists In 2024: 92 participants already suffering from acne were divided into two groups. At the first stage, both groups adhered to a strict diet, and then the participants of one of them began to receive 50-gram tiles of chocolate with 85% of cocoa content. Four weeks later, the manifestations of acne among participants from this group were more pronounced. However, scientists note that the mechanism of influence of cocoa on acne is unclear. 

Fulton and many researchers walking in his feet studied how the cocoa affects the acne, and not the sweets in general. At the same time, the tiles of milk chocolate are almost half consists of From sugar, and about his connection with the appearance of acne are much more extensive scientific works. So, in 2020, French scientists Published The results of the study, which lasted almost ten years and covered more than 24,000 people. Participants filled out an online quantity, where, among other things, they had to indicate whether they ever suffered from acne, as well as tell about their diet. As a result, scientists revealed a significant relationship between this disease and the use of sweets. Scientists noted that to clarify how exactly the diet affects the manifestations of acne, further research is needed. 

Italian scientists published in 2021 Systematic review 53 scientific works that have been released over the past 11 years and devoted to the influence of a diet on acne. According to the results of studies included in the review, factors that cause or exacerbate acne include products with a high glycemic index and/or load, including chocolate and other sweets. 

Glycemic index (Guy) - this is an indicator reflecting at what speed certain carbohydrate -containing products increase blood sugar. Products with a high glycemic index include bread, white rice, sweets, potatoes, etc. Glycemic load (GN) - a more accurate indicator that also takes into account the amount of glucose in one portion. For example, the watermelon has high GI (80 on a 100-point scale), but a low GN (so that the Arzbuz has a serious effect on sugar level, it needs to be eaten quite a lot). These indicators are not only important when compiling a diet for people suffering from diabetes or trying to lose weight, but also affect the development of acne. The fact is that the increased level of sugar and insulin in the blood that occurs after consumption of products with high GI or GN increases the level of an insulin-like growth factor-1 (IFR-1)-hormone, according to the functions of insulin. He, in turn, causes rapid reproduction of keratinocytes and increasing the level Androgen - male sex hormone, which contributes to the production of sebum. It is these factors that stimulate the appearance of acne.

Experts of the American Dermatological Association also adhere to Opinions that a diet rich in food with high GI provokes acne. Studies also confirm the reverse correlation: people who, for the sake of losing weight, moved to the diet with low GI, have noticed the improvement of the skin condition. So, apparently, to those who suffer from acne, and the truth should be reduced in the diet of a share of sweets.

However, in the studies mentioned in this analysis, there are restrictions. Those that were experimental in nature took place in relatively small samples and for relatively short time intervals. Studies that covered large cohorts of participants and long time periods were based on survey and diaries of self -observation, and the accuracy of such data is always far from perfection. There are quite a lot of factors that can provoke an exacerbation of acne - from lack of sleep and stress to hormonal changes and/or disorders, which the interviewee may not even know. Studies show a certain connection, but not the fact that this connection is causal. Almost all scientists converge in one: so that with a high degree of confidence to answer questions, what products and to what extent affect the development or severity of acne, additional studies are needed.

Thus, chocolate, judging by the available data, is really capable of provoking the appearance or development of acne. The same thing is true for other products with a high glycemic index, that is, with quick carbohydrates in the composition, including sweets and flour products-due to high gi acne can worsen. Regarding the influence of cocoa on the health of the consensus skin in the scientific community, the mechanism of its potential influence is unclear, and the design of the experiments conducted does not always allow you to get a clear answer to this question.

Photo on the cover: pexels.com

Half truth

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Webmd. Foods for Healthy, Supple Skin
2. Is it true that you can diagnose problems with certain internal organs by the areas of rashes on the face?
3. Is it true that decorative cosmetics spoils the skin and causes inflammation?
4. Is it true that chocolate stimulates the brain?