How Diet Can Affect Psoriasis: Foods to Avoid and Foods That May Help

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes thick, itchy, and painful rashes anywhere on the body. Many things can worsen symptoms, including medications, stress, smoking, and alcohol — even food. 

While no diet can cause or cure psoriasis, what you eat can affect your symptoms. More research is needed to understand exactly how diet affects psoriasis. But there are a few possible links. 

People with psoriasis have increased inflammation in their body. So it’s possible that foods that increase inflammation (pro-inflammatory foods) can make psoriasis worse. Weight gain is also linked to psoriasis. People with larger bodies are more likely to have psoriasis and more severe psoriasis symptoms. One reason this occurs is because adipocytes (fat cells) can cause more inflammation. 

Studies have shown that almost 2 in 3 people with psoriasis link certain foods to flare-ups of psoriasis. 

Here are nine foods you should avoid if you have psoriasis to help reduce flare-ups.

1. Refined sugar

Refined sugar is sugar processed from sources like sugar cane, beets, or corn. It’s in many ultra-processed foods — not just the obvious sources like table sugar and candy. 

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Too much sugar in your diet can lead to weight gain and an increase in fat tissue, which increases inflammation in the body. 

If you have psoriasis, avoid high-glycemic foods, like: 

• Candies, chocolates, and other sweets 

• Sodas, sports and energy drinks, sweetened teas, flavored coffees, and many store-bought smoothies

• Sauces and condiments like ketchup, salad dressings, and barbeque sauce

• Packaged foods like granola bars, sweetened yogurt, and fruit bars

• Ice cream and other frozen desserts

2. Alcohol

People with psoriasis tend to drink more alcohol. But drinking just a small amount can worsen psoriasis symptoms. That means more than 1 drink for women and 2 drinks for men. 

There are good reasons to avoid alcohol if you have psoriasis:

• You’ll spend more time in remission (when your skin has little or no psoriasis).

• Psoriasis treatments work better and are less likely to cause side effects.

• You’ll have a lower risk of developing fatty liver disease or psoriatic arthritis (for women).

3. Caffeine

Research looking at how caffeine affects psoriasis is mixed. Some people with severe psoriasis report that their skin does better when they avoid caffeine. More recent studies show that coffee may have a dose-dependent effect on psoriasis:

• Moderate coffee consumption (up to 3 cups) may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve psoriasis. 

• High coffee consumption (especially more than 4 cups) may worsen psoriasis.

If you have psoriasis and drink a lot of coffee or other caffeinated beverages, it may be worth switching to decaf to see if the condition of your skin improves.

4. Dairy

Many dairy products are high in fat, which can contribute to inflammation. What’s more, many people report that dairy products can trigger their psoriasis. People who follow the Mediterranean diet and consume less dairy also tend to have less psoriasis. 

It may not work for everyone. But, if you have psoriasis, try limiting or eliminating dairy to see how it affects your skin symptoms. 

5. Red meat

Red meat is another common trigger for people with psoriasis. It’s high in saturated fats and can increase inflammation in the body. Consuming red meat has also been linked with worse psoriasis in some people. 

Swap out red meat for heart-healthy and omega-rich fish in your diet. 

6. Ultra-processed foods

Ultra-processed foods are loaded with pro-inflammatory substances, like sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. They also lack fiber, which can help lower inflammation. If you have psoriasis, limit or avoid ultra-processed foods as much as possible. 

Ultra-processed foods include all foods with added sugar and additives. Examples include:

• Prepackaged foods, like pizza, pasta, and other ready-to-heat meals

• Processed meats, like hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and fish nuggets

• Baked goods, like pastries, bagels, cookies, and muffins

7. Spicy foods

For some people, spicy foods can be a major psoriasis trigger. It’s not entirely clear why — and it certainly isn’t a trigger for everyone. But try eliminating food and condiments like paprika, chili, or hot sauce for a month to see if your psoriasis symptoms improve. 

8. Nightshade vegetables

Nightshade vegetables are nutrient-dense foods. But in some people, they may trigger psoriasis. It’s not entirely clear why this is. One theory is that they produce alkaloids, which may irritate the gut lining in some people. 

Common nightshade vegetables include:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers (like bell peppers and jalapenos)

• Eggplant

• Potatoes (but not sweet potatoes)

• Goji berries 

If you have psoriasis and want to try avoiding nightshade vegetables, make sure you substitute them with other nutritious vegetables. 

9. Gluten

People with psoriasis are more likely to have celiac disease — an autoimmune sensitivity to gluten. They’re also more likely to have gluten sensitivity, which is bloating or pain after eating gluten. 

If you have psoriasis, you may want to see if your symptoms improve after eliminating these common gluten-containing foods:

• Bread (unless it’s labeled gluten free)

• Pasta

• Baked goods and pastries

• Cereal and granola 

• Commercially prepared sauces and gravy

• Beer and brewer’s yeast 

What foods can help or prevent psoriasis flare-ups?

No specific foods have been proven to improve or cure psoriasis. But some people have noticed their psoriasis symptoms improve when they consume certain foods and drinks. Some of these foods may work by helping to lower inflammation in the body. Let’s look at some examples. 

Anti-inflammatory foods

People with psoriasis have increased levels of inflammation in their body. So it’s possible that consuming foods that help lower inflammation may help with symptoms. 

If you have psoriasis, try adding some of these anti-inflammatory foods into your diet:

• Leafy green vegetables, like kale, spinach, and cabbage

• Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, and sardines

• Olive oil

• Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts

• Fruit, especially berries

• Herbs and spices

Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice that may help lower inflammation. So far, only a few studies have looked at whether turmeric (or curcumin, its main ingredient) can improve psoriasis. The studies showed that using it as a medicated cream may help psoriasis — but taking it as a pill probably doesn’t. 

There’s no harm in adding turmeric to the foods you eat to see if you benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are important types of fat found in foods like flaxseed and fish. The research is mixed. But several studies show that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may improve psoriasis. These benefits were seen when omega-3s were used alone or along with other psoriasis treatments, like phototherapy and some medicated creams.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for your bone health and immune system. Although it’s not always clear why, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to various different diseases, including psoriasis. 

Evidence shows that people with psoriasis may be more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. But it’s not clear if supplementing vitamin D in people with normal vitamin D levels helps psoriasis symptoms. 

So far, a few small studies have shown that vitamin D supplements in people with low levels may improve psoriasis. But the results aren’t definitive, and more research is needed. 

If you have psoriasis, talk with a healthcare professional about getting your vitamin D levels checked to see if supplementation may work for you. 

Finding what works for your body

Psoriasis affects each person differently, and this is also true for food triggers. Just because one person experiences worsening symptoms with a certain food doesn’t mean that other people will too. Tracking your psoriasis symptoms and keeping a food journal can help you identify your unique food triggers as well as those that help your skin feel healthier. 

And keep in mind that when it comes to psoriasis and food, it’s not just about avoiding your triggers. If you have a larger body size and you have psoriasis, losing some excess weight — even a small amount like 5% — can improve your psoriasis and skin symptoms. 

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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