# Dairy and sugar worsen acne; chocolate not proven culprit 2026-08-12T08:41:59+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Times Now News reports that while many blame chocolate for acne, dermatology researchers say dairy and high-glycemic foods have stronger scientific backing. Dr Ratna Upadhyay, who leads R&D at OZiva, explains that skim milk and refined carbs like white bread and sugary drinks can raise hormones linked to oil production and clogged pores. Controlled trials have shown low-glycemic diets improve acne severity. Chocolate’s connection is inconsistent once sugar is accounted for. Spicy foods lack direct evidence. Emerging research on the gut-skin axis and probiotics is promising but not yet conclusive. Nutrients like omega-3s, zinc and antioxidants may help calm inflammation, but diet is only a modifier, not a cure. Experts advise reducing sugar and refined carbs, monitoring dairy, and giving any change eight to twelve weeks before judging its effect. ## Coverage - timesnownews.com Tags: acne, chocolate, dairy, diet, nutrition-facts, skin health Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/dairy-and-sugar-worsen-acne-chocolate-not-proven-culprit/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/dairy-and-sugar-worsen-acne-chocolate-not-proven-culprit/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.