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Is watermelon good for acne?

Watermelon has become a trendy favourite, praised for its potential to alleviate skin damage and redness from sun exposure, prevent wrinkles, and even reduce the risk of skin cancer. While it's gaining recognition for various skincare benefits, the question remains: how does watermelon impact acne?

Given that all acne has hormonal components, particularly involving insulin and IGF-1 hormones triggered by sugar intake, concerns arise about the sugar content in watermelon. However, the answer is reassuringly no.

Watermelon boasts a glycemic index (GI) of 72, indicating relatively high sugar content (GI ranges from 1 to 100). Yet, its glycemic load (GL), a more practical measure of a food's impact on blood sugar levels, stands at only 2 per 100 grams (a low GL). This means that, despite its high GI, consuming watermelon in typical amounts is unlikely to cause a significant spike in blood sugar or acne-triggering insulin levels.

But what about the touted anti-acne properties?

Watermelon does contain moderate levels of lycopene, the pigment responsible for its vibrant color. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant, and some evidence suggests its anti-androgenic properties and a potential link to decreasing IGF-1, which could confer anti-acne benefits. However, while many bloggers and marketers emphasize this aspect, specific research directly supporting watermelon's anti-acne effects through lycopene is currently lacking.

Moreover, the quantity of lycopene in watermelon remains relatively modest (about 9 to 13 milligrams in a cup and a half), necessitating substantial watermelon consumption to yield noticeable anti-acne benefits. Ironically, consuming such large quantities could lead to increased insulin levels and potentially exacerbate acne concerns.
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