A rosacea is a chronic inflammation of the skin that manifests itself mainly in the center of the face, but can expand to the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. Besides redness, it can also cause swelling of the face and is more common in middle-aged and very fair-skinned women.

In addition to the specific treatment for this condition (usually antibiotics and acne medications), it is important to understand how diet impacts rosacea, so there are some ingredients that are recommended and some that you should avoid if you suffer from this skin problem.

Here are the best and worst foods for rosacea:

Read also: Worst foods for the skin

Best foods for rosacea

Vegetables

A colorful plate full of vegetables is always welcome, but especially for rosacea sufferers it is a real necessity. Basically, eating plenty of vegetables, especially those rich in antioxidants and fiber, can help soothe the skin and relieve redness.

• Asparagus;
• Cauliflower;
• Spinach;
• Cabbage;
• Pea;
• Cucumber.

Herbs

Some herbs are known precisely for their calming properties. A popular example of this is chamomile In addition to helping to improve mood, relieve stress and anxiety, its properties also soothe the skin, so it is recommended for those who suffer from rosacea. Besides chamomile, lemon balm, kava-kava, passiflora (passion flower), and valerian are recommended.

Read also: Does chamomile tea help you sleep better?

Salmon

Part of the irritation that rosacea causes in the skin is due to inflammatory processes that occur in the body. omega-3 Other food options with similar properties are sardines, tuna, oilseeds, cod liver oil, chia, flaxseed, and others.

Read more: Omega-3 in salmon helps fight depression

Goat cheese

Goat cheese is an excellent source of protein. In addition, it does not contain much lactose and, due to its properties, is of great help against the skin inflammation caused by rosacea.

Read also: Cheese Guide: Which type is healthiest?

Worst foods for rosacea

Spicy food and seasonings

The pungency of foods, spices and herbs can cause a "burning sensation" for sensitive skin. Other ingredients that can cause a similar effect are peppermint, mint and eucalyptus oil. Also, according to a study developed at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, whenfound in cosmetics, these products can worsen rosacea.

• Ginger;
• Cumin;
• Black pepper;
• Fenugreek;
• Cloves.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages can be a major enemy of skin health, especially for sensitive skin susceptible to the redness typical of rosacea. In particular, red wine has an almost instantaneous effect: it causes dilation of the blood vessels in the face and thus causes redness.

Sweets and soft drinks

After all, what do sweets and soft drinks have in common? Both contain enormous amounts of sugar and can therefore cause inflammation in the body.

Read also: Soft drink consumption can lead to premature death