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Milk, ice cream consumption related to increased acne in young adults

Diets high in glycemic load and frequency of milk and ice cream were associated with increased acne vulgaris in young adults, according to study results.

Researchers in Malaysia studied 88 patients (65.9% women) aged 18 to 30 years from October 2010 to January 2011. Forty-four patients receiving acne vulgaris treatment and 44 controls completed a questionnaire about family history and dietary patterns. They also recorded food intake for two weekdays and one weekend day. Acne severity, body weight, height and body fat were measured.

Patients with acne vulgaris had significantly higher dietary glycemic loads (175 ± 35) compared with the control group (122 ± 28) (P<.001).

The acne vulgaris cohort consumed milk and ice cream at a significantly higher frequency than controls (86.4% vs. 61.4%, milk at least once weekly; 56.8% vs. 22.7%, ice cream at least once weekly) (P<.01 for both). Risk for acne vulgaris occurrence increased fourfold when milk (OR=3.99; 95% CI) or ice cream (OR=4.47; 95% CI) was consumed at least once a week. Consuming yogurt, cheese, chocolate and nuts showed no significant differences (P>.05) between groups.

Women in the acne vulgaris group experienced higher daily kilocaloric intake compared with controls (1,812 ± 331 vs. 1,590 ± 148; P<.05). Other nutritional intakes, BMI and body fat percentage were similar between cohorts (P>.05). More patients with acne reported a family history of the disease compared with controls (81.8% vs. 34.1%; P<.001).

The study was limited because 3-day food records were not repeated, consumed dairy protein was not recorded and confounding factors including stress, inadequate sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption and facial hygiene care were not included, the researchers said.

“The findings … further support the hypothesis that dietary factors play a fundamental role in acne vulgaris occurrences,” the researchers concluded. “Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the role of food items such as peanuts, chocolate and dietary fat in acne occurrence.”