Spicy Food vs Acne

One day I had a fight with my mother. We talked about spicy food. My mom didn’t like if I ate  it because she thought that spiciness can cause acne. Otherwise, I didn’t think it’s true. Who will won this battle ? Let’s check :D

First, we have to know what is spicy food.

Spicy is not a taste, it is a sensation caused by a kind of chemical substance in spiciness. It’s activating sensory neurons called polymodal nociceptors. This nociceptors are activated by extreme heat and can be found easily all over the body, include tongue and nose. If we eat spicy food, these nociceptors will give signals to the brain of cell irritation or burning of the cell, almost the same as skin exposed to heat, so brain will response this overheating a spicy sensation, like sweating and a fast heart beating (TED-ed vid)

Second, what’s acne ?

Acne vulgaris, often reffered to as acne, is a disorder of pilosebaceous follicles. Acne begins with “clogged pores” as known as comedoes. There are some factors are involved in the formation of acne lesions :

-   Increase in sebum production (influenced by androgens)

- Keratin and sebum plug the hair follicle and accumulate leading to hyperkeratosis (comedo formation)

- P.acnes (bacteria) proliferates in the sebaceous follicle (releases enzymes and stimulates release of pro-inflammatory cytokines)

- Inflammatory response

(American Academy of Dermatology, 2015)

After knowing about spicy food and acne, let’s check about their correlation. There are many studies to know the correlation between dietary and acne. Study by Dave Kairanee, Gujarat in 2010 showed that spicy food had an effect to aggravate or precipate acne. The majority of the respondents in the study had reported that consumption of spicy food led to flares and or aggravate the pre-exsiting acne. Another study said that fatty food, chocolate, potato chips, and spicy food were considered a cause of acne (Darwish, et al 2013). Many studies believe that spicy food can increase production of sebum and can cause acne (Indonesia University, Faculty of Medicine, 2009).  But others believe that as long as there’s no blockage or plug in sebum follicle, there’s no acne.

The IAA Consensus Document from Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology, dan Leprology in 2009 had reported that spices and oil not directly cause acne, but the exposure during cooking may cause acne. A cross sectional, community based study was performed and from this study known that gender, spicy foods, and smoking were not associated with acne severity (Ghodsi et al, 2009). In this study, told that familial history of acne was significantly more common in patients with moderate to severe acne. What a contradiction with study from Darwish et all in 2013.

The newest study that I found, spices such as oregano, cinnamon, clover, ginger, and garlic (just knew that they are included in spices. LOL) may be able to inhibit the production of AGEs. AGEs is advanced glycation end products, with accumulation of AGES, structural changes in the skin can occur, resulting in increased and reduced elasticity and this is related to aging skin (Katta, 2014).

After reading about many studies about spicy food and acne, we know that there are many different and contradiction result. So that, I asked few of dermatologist; first dermatologist said that spicy food didn’t has effect for acne. Furthermore, she said that pepper had high vitamin C that good for the skin. My second and third doctor said so. They didn’t believe that spice can aggravate or cause acne. But the fourth doctor said, we should avoid spicy, fatty, and oily food to make a better skin.

After reading few studies and asking some dermatologist, we know that the theory about dietary and acne still debatable. There are many limitations in the study that can’t be applied in another respondent.

Well, the end of the story, I’ve told my mom about this and she said, “I believe that spice can aggravate acne. Forever and ever” and I just walk away. Hahahhaa.. love ya mom ! <3  

NB : I'm sorry that I missed my June for blogging. Hope be better for the next post !