Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, with many Irish people battling the problem well into adulthood.
While we all know sugar is bad for us, it can be a particular problem for people who are prone to acne.
And there is one fruit that should definitely be avoided if you suffer from breakouts.
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Speaking to Claire Byrne on her RTE radio show, consultant dermatologist Dr Rosemary Coleman from the Blackrock Clinic revealed that bananas can ‘add fuel to the fire’ when it comes to acne flare-ups.
“Sugar is the number one fundamental addiction in our culture. It affects every aspect of our lives - our ageing, nearly every skin condition, and every health condition is affected by sugar. Sugar is very toxic to our system - and we love it,” she told Claire Byrne.
“Skin problems are very individual when it comes to food. What one person can eat, the next might not necessarily be able to eat."
Dr Coleman clarified the meaning of sugar - and it's not all chocolate and sweets.
“When I say sugar I don’t mean adding a teaspoon of granulated sugar to your tea. People can end up in trouble with sugar by eating too much fruit every day.
“If you have inflation on your skin, be it any cause - acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema - sugar is fuel to the fire and most people will realise that it can really aggravate the situation.” she said.
Many people may think that having a banana for lunch is a healthy option - but it may not be as healthy as you think.
“A banana is called nature’s Mars Bar because it contains 8 to 9 teaspoons of sugar,” explained Dr Coleman.
“I see people with acne who have two bananas a day maybe for workouts for energy, and when I cut out the bananas the acne just melts away.”
Read more: The one food you should avoid if you suffer from acne, reveals dermatologist
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