A Bittersweet treat for the skin

As part of the Valentine’s Day craze this year, my teenage daughter has received a lot of chocolate from her friends, but I’m afraid she’ll get pimples from eating it. She says that’s not true. Are my fears unfounded? Does chocolate really cause acne?

We often hear that chocolate, as well as many other kinds of food, is to blame for breakouts. In this case, your daughter might be right. Many studies have concluded that eating chocolate does not necessarily cause pimples.
In an experiment several years ago, teens were divided into two groups: the first was given real chocolate bars and the second chocolate-free bars that tasted like chocolate. The acne variation was no different.
Even more interestingly, many researchers have found chocolate to be favourable, not just because it tastes good, but because it does have health and skin benefits.
Research suggests that flavonoids found in chocolate (as well as in green tea) might help protect the skin from inflammation, or perhaps even cancer..
However, chocolate can mean a lot of different products, and the difference in terms of benefits and dangers is worth noting.
The best chocolate for your health is dark chocolate, which has higher concentration of cocoa solids or cocoa powder. It can help reduce blood pressure and has high anti-oxidants. Milk chocolate’s cocoa percentage is only 20 per cent, and white chocolate contains none, so these two do not really offer any skin and health benefits.
Another type of chocolate, known as confectionery, is fake chocolate, and many countries even say it is illegal to call it chocolate. Confectionery chocolate is made with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter, and contains not so much cocoa solids.
The chocolate your daughter has received can be any of these four. Chocolate with milk and high sugar content might be a cause for acne concern.
Studies have found that dairy products and high Glycaemic Index Foods can cause spikes in certain pimple producing hormones, like male sex hormones and insulin.
When the hormones are thrown off balance, acne can develop. Sweet, milky chocolate is therefore to be avoided, or consumed minimally.
Teenagers are more prone to acne than any other age group due to hormonal changes that come with puberty, so it is important that you know how pimples come about, how they can be treated and what should be avoided. Basic things like keeping clean, getting enough sleep and eating healthy can make a difference.
If she has acne problems, don’t pick at the spots and never buy acne creams or medicine without seeing a dermatologist, because sometimes they can worsen the situation.