Authored by
DR. SRAVYA CHOWDARY TIPIRNENI
MD (Dermatology)
Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetologist
Do Mangoes cause Acne?
Mango has been deemed as one of the healthiest among all fruits, but if you are one of those people who get acne from it, here’s what dermatologist recommends.
+ How is Acne caused?
Acne usually affects people who have an increased number of oil glands on their face, upper chest, and back. Our Skin normally contains many oil glands or sebaceous glands which are dynamic and constantly changing under the influence of factors like Hormones and Sugar metabolism.
Sebum is a natural oil that lubricates and protects your skin. You get acne when the sebaceous glands attached to your hair follicles are stimulated at the time of puberty. Though this is most common during puberty and adolescence, it can also affect people at all ages.
+ What is meant by High Glycemic Index or GI?
Foods with a High Glycemic Index are foods that are digested and absorbed very quickly, thus causing a rapid rise in Blood Sugar Levels and secretion of insulin. Foods that rank High on the GI scale are often seen to be High in Processed Carbohydrates and Sugars.
Mango is implicated to cause increased Acne as it has a High Glycemic Index, which means that it increases blood sugar and therefore blood insulin levels very fast.
Not just Mango but any foods that have a High Glycemic Index (Chocolates, candies , pastries, junk food etc. ) can cause insulin spikes in our body which results in an increase in the IGF – 1 hormone. This hormone in turn has a direct effect on our oil glands by increasing the sebum secretion leading to flares of acne during the Mango season in our country.
+ Does this mean that you have to give up eating Mangoes for life?
No!
It just means that you should limit your consumption to a level your body can handle. Since mangoes are loaded with Vitamins A, B and C, as well as Fibre, Copper, Potassium and Magnesium, it is better to keep Mangoes in your diet and cut out other High Glycemic Foods like Chocolates and Candies instead.
