Foods that could make your psoriasis worse

Have you noticed your psoriasis gets worse after eating a cheeseburger? Perhaps you can't have eggplant parmigiana without having a flare-up. Or maybe it's red wine that seems to worsen your red patches.

An estimated 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. It’s an immune disease that often results in scaly, itchy blotches appearing around your knees, elbows, and scalp, though they can pop up anywhere on your skin. Many things can trigger or exacerbate psoriasis symptoms, including your diet.

The science on food and psoriasis is developing, but these eats are frequently named as no-nos.

It's believed that being obese increases your risk of psoriasis. Often, the more someone weighs, the worse the condition. Dropping pounds can ease symptoms and may help make treatments work better. To lose weight, improve your health overall—and perhaps relieve your itch—try the following:

• Swap foods high in saturated fat and sugar for fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy fats. You can find better-for-you fats in non-tropical vegetable oils, avocados, and nuts.
• Eat moderate portions and try filling half your plate with vegetables.
• Keep a food diary or track your intake on an app. Studies show that those who document their daily eating tend to lose more weight than those who don't.
• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. When combined with a healthy eating plan, this can boost weight loss.

No specific diet has been proven to reduce psoriasis symptoms. But some research suggests the Mediterranean diet may help some people. Perhaps this is because it can lead to weight loss and reduce inflammation.

Many people with psoriasis also have diabetes and heart disease. All three are considered inflammatory diseases. Some people have found that cutting back or eliminating certain foods linked to inflammation can help. These include dairy as well as foods that contain refined sugars—such as soda, desserts, processed meals, and snacks. Often, reducing these may also lead to weight loss, which can help slash your risk of other conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

Fatty red meat is also tied to inflammation, plus weight gain and obesity. While red meat hasn't been linked directly to psoriasis, avoiding or limiting foods like prime rib or cheeseburgers may help relieve symptoms. Instead, choose poultry or fatty fish; salmon and mackerel are great picks. And if you must eat red meat, try a leaner cut like top sirloin.

Are you a woman who regularly drinks more than one glass of wine daily, or a man who has three or more beers? You might consider scaling back. Research shows that excess alcohol is linked to higher chances of developing psoriasis. Scientists aren't exactly sure why.

That’s not all. If you have psoriasis already, alcohol may make your symptoms worse. It can also reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

Cutting alcohol out completely, meanwhile, could help slash your odds—and your itchiness. Don't want to give up your nightly Chardonnay? Drink in moderation. That means a maximum of one 5-ounce glass of wine or a 12-ounce beer for women, and two similar servings for men.

Gluten is a protein found in foods like pasta, bread, and cereal. Scientists don't fully understand why, but it seems to trigger psoriasis flare-ups for some people. About 7.2 percent of adults with psoriasis described gluten as a trigger in one 2017 survey in the journal Dermatology and Therapy.

There's evidence, too, that those with psoriasis may have higher odds of developing celiac disease, an immune response to gluten. It's thought that the two conditions have similar origins in the body.

Some experts suggest that a gluten-free diet can reduce psoriasis symptoms for certain people with gluten sensitivity. In that 2017 survey, about 53 percent of those who eliminated gluten reported improvements in their skin. This may have been related to the gluten. But, it may also have been related to the resulting weight loss.

Have your itchy, red patches ever become itchier and redder after eating stuffed peppers? While more research is needed, there's a chance they could be related. Though there is little scientific evidence, some people with psoriasis say that nightshade vegetables trigger their symptoms.

If you believe nightshades may be affecting your psoriasis, lay off them for two to eight weeks to see if you notice any improvement in your symptoms.