Love the skin you’re in … by eating more fruits and vegetables.

While it may not be the most intuitive treatment for a condition like psoriasis, a new study from researchers in London suggests it might be the key to relief.

The chronic inflammatory skin disease causes scaly, flaky patches across the body and affects millions of people around the world. While psoriasis is primarily associated with immune system dysfunction, recent research suggests that what we eat could influence the severity of the discomfort.

The study analyzed data from 257 adults with psoriasis, looking at their adherence to popular diets like the Mediterranean Diet, the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, and the Healthy Plant-Based Diet Index. Participants self-reported their psoriasis severity — and revealed some telling trends. Those who stuck closely to the DASH and Healthy Plant-Based Diet programs reported less severe symptoms, while those with lower adherence experienced the opposite effect.

One thing to note: Higher consumption of red and processed meats was linked to more intense psoriasis, even when factors like body mass index were considered. In contrast, eating more fruits, nuts and legumes seemed to reduce psoriasis severity, although BMI still played a role in this relationship.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests dietary changes can help manage a variety of diseases — including this itchy one.

After all, when you’re confronted with a never-ending parade of lotions claiming to provide relief, reaching for an apple or handful of nuts may be a welcome change of pace.