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There is a popular myth that eating peanuts causes acne and pimples. Can we take this view seriously, or is it just…a myth? Are peanuts the devil that makes us breakout?
The answer is yes, peanuts can cause acne. Peanuts contain an androgen-like ingredient, high Omega-6 fatty acids, and phytic acids. These nutrients can lead to acne formation by causing higher oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation when taken in excess.
It is well known that types of food intake can cause acne to appear on the skin, depending on your skin type and overall health. And with peanuts, there might be some truth to that myth.
Read on to know more about does peanuts cause acne and other kinds of food that can lead to acne formation!
Contrary to popular belief, peanuts do not belong to the nut family. It is part of the legume family, putting it in the same category as beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.
Peanuts contain many androgen-like ingredients, Omega-6 fatty acids and phytic acids. Besides, peanuts also have a high amount of aflatoxin, a well-known carcinogen (elements that can cause cancer)!
Yes, peanuts can cause acne due to the nutrients and ingredients.
As mentioned previously, peanuts contain an androgen-like ingredient. Androgen is a type of hormone, and high levels of androgen in the body can cause the oil glands under the skin to grow. This will trigger the overproduction of sebum, which triggers acne as the excess oil traps dead skin cells and debris in the pores.
Omega-6 is known to cause inflammation and clogged pores directly. It’s the perfect condition for acne and pimples to appear. If you have acne-prone skin, Omega-6 also affects the size of acne growths!
On the other hand, Phytic acid can affect the digestive system. It is often called an anti-nutrient because this acid binds and blocks minerals into the body, including calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium! The deficiency of essential minerals in the body can cause hormone imbalance, and the skin will be indirectly affected.
In addition, it’s no secret that many people are allergic to peanuts. Allergies affect the bodily immune system and can cause inflammation. This, in turn, will cause acne and breakouts on the skin.
Besides affecting the immune system, an allergy to peanuts can cause a toxic reaction that can irritate the skin through the formation of hives and rashes. Picking and scratching the irritated, itchy skin can break the thin outer layer and expose the skin to bacteria infection. This, in turn, can trigger pimples and acne outbreaks.
If you are allergic to peanuts, please avoid them altogether!
Speaking of peanuts, a popular product derived from it, peanut butter, can also cause acne when taken in excess. Peanut butter contains peanuts, obviously, and it also has a high amount of hydrogenated vegetable oil, which can set off inflammation as it contains large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.
Oily and fatty processed food such as french fries, burgers, and fried chicken can also stimulate the formation of acne. Malaysians’ favourite breakfast food such as nasi lemak (which often comes with fried peanuts for condiments!) and roti canai are high in saturated fat as they use a lot of oil to cook. These foods can lead to pimples and acne on the skin if taken too frequently!
The burgeoning cafe scene in Malaysia also means many of us are drinking coffee more often now. If you are a coffee lover and often take your coffee with sugar and milk, watch out! Coffee is pretty harmless when taken moderately, but excessive sugar and dairy in your drink can cause acne.
Related: Does Coffee Cause Acne?
Kuaci, universally known as sunflower seeds, has a high amount of Omega-6 fatty acids (as high as 70%) despite containing a large amount of Vitamin E and magnesium. So if you have acne-prone skin, overeating kuaci might not be suitable for you.
We are not saying to skip these foods altogether (because, you know… they are delicious…) but remember to take them in moderation.
If you are in the market for skincare for pimple and acne-prone skin, we are here to help!
Below are the best skincare for pimple and acne-prone skin products for you:
Related: Does Hyaluronic Acid For Acne Work? Here’s What We Know! (Coming Soon)
As peanuts have the potential to cause acne, do yourself a favour and choose almonds, walnuts, or macadamias instead of peanuts, whenever possible! If you would like to learn further about your skin type and find a routine that works for your unique skin needs, let’s take the myeppo skincare quiz here!
