Got Pimples? Dairy Hormones and Sugary Foods Linked to Acne, Study Finds
Scientific Review in April’s International Journal of Dermatology Suggests Dietary Approach to Better Skin
WASHINGTON—Teens who avoid milk and sugary foods may experience fewer skin blemishes, according to a new study in April’s International Journal of Dermatology. Hope Ferdowsian, M.D., M.P.H., and her coauthors reviewed 27 previously published scientific studies and found that the more milk young people drank, the more likely they were to develop acne. Sugary foods appear to have a similar effect. Surprisingly, studies involving chocolate were inconclusive.
"Setting aside milkshakes will likely do more to prevent blemishes than a drugstore full of commercial products," says Dr. Ferdowsian, associate director of the Washington Center for Clinical Research. "Milk appears to fuel hormone imbalances that can lead to acne."
Adolescents following a Western diet often experience the overproduction of natural hormones. Hormones or proteins found in milk may increase skin oil production, leading to pimples. Conversely, diets high in fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and beans prevent the buildup of excess hormones in the system.
In populations following a largely plant-based diet low in refined sugars and dairy products, such as Kitavan islanders and indigenous Peruvians, acne is rare. Scientific studies also note that as populations adopt Western diets through migration or cultural change, acne becomes commonplace.
For a copy of the paper in the International Journal of Dermatology or an interview with Dr. Ferdowsian, please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-527-7316 or jeannem@pcrm.org.
The Washington Center for Clinical Research, founded in 2004, is a nonprofit organization that conducts research on the role of nutrition in health. The Washington Center is a subsidiary of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
