This month’s Journal of Dermatological Science reported on an Australian study that recruited 50 young men with mild to moderate acne, and tested the impact of diet. Half the group ate a typical Western diet, while the other half ate lean meat, poultry, and fish, consumed more fruits and vegetables, and substituted whole grain bread, cereals and rice for refined foods. After 12 weeks, the whole grain eaters’ acne had “improved dramatically, by more than 50 percent.”

This isn’t the first time researchers have linked clearer skin to whole grains. A few years ago, Loren Cordain and his fellow scientists at Colorado State University found that production of the bacteria responsible for acne increased proportionally as people ate more refined grains. You can see our list of whole grain health studies by clicking here. (Cynthia — April 23, 2008)