Acne From Mocha

Originally, mocha referred to the coffee beans it was made from, a smaller and richer variety, which was grown in Yemen and exported through the ports of Mocha. Today the word mocha refers to a blend of chocolate and coffee. A popular beverage and flavor, mocha has become prevalent in coffee shops across the United States. Unfortunately, both chocolate and coffee have been connected to acne. The degree to which either of these things are connected to acne is an issue of debate.

Chocolate

• Although cocoa beans, from which chocolate is made, are not inherently unhealthy, most forms of chocolate enjoyed and sold in the United States are high in fat and sugar. Both fat and sugar, when consumed in excess, put stress on the body, which can in turn lead to suppressed immune systems.

Caffeine

• Unless you drink decaffeinated coffee, the caffeine content in coffee is very high. Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. It makes the body unnaturally energized while simultaneously depleting the body of the valuable resource of water.

Acne

• Acne is a result of clogged pours in the skin. To understand acne and how it works, you must consider the cause of the clogged pours. Excess dirt on the skin can cause clogged pours; however, the more insidious root of acne is infection under the skin.

Connection

• The connection between chocolate and coffee (mocha) and acne is not scientifically established, nor is it immediately obvious; however, once you know how your body processes both chocolate and coffee as well as the causes of acne, it's difficult not to see a correlation, if not a causality. The introduction of fat into the body (chocolate) combined with the diuretic elements of both sugar and coffee puts stress on your whole body. Stress reduces immune system function and can make your skin more vulnerable to infections (acne).

Expert Insight

• Numerous studies and health care professionals have refuted the idea that chocolate and coffee could have an impact on acne, stating that overactive oil glands and heredity are the culprits. However, a study conducted by researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, revealed evidence that foods high in sugar and fat do have a direct effect on skin health. A control group was given a low sugar diet for 12 weeks, while the experimental group was given a diet high in sugar and fat. The subjects in the experimental group had higher levels of acne and unhealthy skin.