Fresh Fruit Juice For Acne

If you suffer from acne, eating a nutritious diet can help you fight pimples and attain smoother, healthier-looking skin. Fruits are an excellent source of antioxidants that can help improve the health of your skin, but eating too many fruits at once or drinking large amounts of fresh fruit juice can cause more harm than good.

Carbohydrates and Acne

A diet rich in carbohydrates, especially high-glycemic carbs, can promote acne and other skin problems. High-glycemic foods include potatoes, refined grains and sugary foods and drinks, while fresh fruits tend to have a relatively low glycemic index score. However, eating lots of carbohydrates at once, whether they have a low or a high glycemic score, will most likely cause your insulin levels to rise higher than is optimal. High insulin levels can cause acne, according to a study published in July 2007 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

Fiber and Fresh Fruit Juices

Fresh fruit juices are a quick and concentrated way to obtain many of the beneficial nutrients found in fruits. However, fruit juice, whether fresh or from concentrate, contains none of the fiber naturally found in fruits. Because juice is devoid of fiber, your body quickly digests the natural sugar and carbohydrates found in fruit juices are absorbs them into your bloodstream. The blood sugar spike triggers the release of large amounts of insulin, which is associated with acne.

Carb Content of Fresh Fruit Juices

Another problem with fresh fruit juices is that you can easily drink large amounts in a short period. For example, 12 oz. fresh fruit juice contains approximately 40 g carbohydrates, which is the same amount found in about four oranges or in a can of cola. The more carbohydrates you consume, the more insulin your pancreas secretes and the more likely you are to have new pimples the next morning.

Choose Whole Fruits

Stick to whole fruits instead of fruit juices. This will keep your carbohydrate consumption to moderate levels, and you will gain the benefits of fruit's health-protective fiber. Choose small servings and space them throughout the day to keep your insulin levels low and control your acne. Consuming fruits with a source of protein will also stabilize insulin levels. For example, add half of a sliced banana and a tbsp. peanut butter to your morning bowl of steel-cut oats, add a few berries to your chicken salad at lunch or have a small apple with a piece of cheese for your snack.