Does carbohydrates cause acne? Yes, simple carbs can cause acne because they quickly get broken down into sugar. With complex carbs like whole grain pastas, breads, and rice, it takes the body much, much longer to break it down and the conversion to glucose is very slow which your body will use more efficiently over longer periods of time. Let's say for example you eat a simple carb food with 50 grams of carbs, that 50 grams of carbs is going to be converted into glucose within the hour. That's a lot of glucose in your body that will cause acne.
Then if you eat a complex carb food that has 50 grams of carbs, it will be broken down over a period of time, such as 10 grams an hour and your body will simultaneously be using the glucose as energy in the mean time so there isn't a build up of sugar in your body that can cause acne.
But, the real culprit is unstable blood sugar levels.
Now, it is true that eating simple carbohydrates increases blood sugar levels. And refined carbohydrates trigger even sharper increase. But the body is very good at regulating blood sugar levels. It has to, because too high or low levels are dangerous, and possibly even fatal.
Then if you eat a complex carb food that has 50 grams of carbs, it will be broken down over a period of time, such as 10 grams an hour and your body will simultaneously be using the glucose as energy in the mean time so there isn't a build up of sugar in your body that can cause acne.
But, the real culprit is unstable blood sugar levels.
Now, it is true that eating simple carbohydrates increases blood sugar levels. And refined carbohydrates trigger even sharper increase. But the body is very good at regulating blood sugar levels. It has to, because too high or low levels are dangerous, and possibly even fatal.