An inflammatory skin outbreak, psoriasis triggers various reactions such as the emergence of red, scaly patches on the skin. This condition stems from the acceleration of the renewal of epidermal cells. However, it requires constant vigilance as there are numerous aggravating factors. Among these factors, diet can be mentioned. What are the effects of chocolate consumption on the progression of psoriasis? The answer is provided in this article.
Does consuming chocolate worsen psoriasis?
Summary
Published on August 2, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 3 min of reading
Themes:
What is the role of diet in the progression of psoriasis?
Diet can help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. Weight loss is recommended for overweight individuals to optimise the effectiveness of psoriasis treatments. Some people with psoriasis may find that their diet can have a positive or negative impact on their symptoms. Although there is no specific diet recommended for psoriasis, adopting certain dietary approaches can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health, which could potentially have a positive effect on psoriasis symptoms. However, it is important to emphasise that the effectiveness of these approaches can vary from person to person and in no way do they constitute a treatment for psoriasis.
What about the consumption of chocolate?
Dark chocolate, containing at least 70% cocoa, has beneficial effects on general health. Indeed, cocoa contains polyphenols, notably tannins and flavonoids, which are renowned for their antioxidant properties by limiting the oxidation process. Furthermore, a study showed that a cocoa polyphenol extract suppresses TNF-α induced NF-kB transactivation, a mediator involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It is responsible for two of the main pathological characteristics of psoriasis, epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation.
Health professionals recommend consuming approximately 200 grams of dark chocolate per week. It is believed to enhance skin health. On the contrary, white chocolate should be avoided, as it has a high sugar content and can exacerbate psoriasis. Indeed, an excessive consumption of sugar promotes the differentiation of Th17 lymphocytes by activating TGF-β. This in turn encourages the production of IL-17 cytokines, one of the main causes of psoriasis.
Sources
KIM J. & al. Cocoa polyphenols suppress TNF-a-induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression by inhibiting phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogenactivated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK1) activities in mouse epidermal cells. British Journal of Nutrition (2010).
MOORCHUNG N. & al. Role of NF-κB in the pathogenesis of psoriasis elucidated by its staining in skin biopsy specimens. International Journal of Dermatology (2014).
