Your Coffee May Cause Acne, Study Suggests

New research indicates a strong connection between diet and adult acne, challenging the notion that breakouts are solely a teenage issue. A study by King's College London analyzed data from over 228,000 participants in the UK Biobank.

Adults adhering to a Mediterranean diet, characterized by vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like salmon and nuts, were less likely to experience acne, particularly women. Fermented dairy products such as yogurt and cheese were also linked to a lower risk of spots.

Conversely, the study identified fatty and sugary foods, including skimmed milk and creamy desserts, as common triggers for acne. Researchers noted that dairy's varied effects might be due to fermentation processes, distinguishing yogurt and cheese from skimmed milk.

Interestingly, dietary patterns showed differences between men and women. For men, popular carnivore diets high in meat and low in carbohydrates, and specifically pork consumption, were associated with a higher likelihood of acne.

This research, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, highlights that overall diet quality is linked to adult acne. While it cannot definitively prove causation, the findings offer crucial insights for future clinical trials to test dietary interventions.