SUGAR
You can find lots of information online regarding how sugar affects your waistline and general health. Its impact on the skin, however, is a less covered topic. Over-consumption of sugar can both accelerate the aging process and either cause or contribute to a host of skin health issues.
Inflammation: Sugar consumption leads to spikes in blood sugar, which results in inflammation. This can make the skin appear red, dull, and unhealthy.
Collagen Damage: Collagen is one of the most essential proteins in maintaining youthful appearing skin. Collagen is a protein that works to make the skin firm, smooth, and elastic. Glucose both breaks down current collagen and contributes to lower future collagen production, making early line and wrinkle development more likely.
Blood Sugar Variations: High sugar consumption causes rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. This in turn can lead to acne breakouts and symptom “flare-ups” of various skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.
SOLUTION: CUT DOWN
It’s easy to reverse the harmful effects of sugar by simply cutting down on daily sugar intake. In fact, many people have reported dramatic improvements in how their skin looks and feels within days of reducing their consumption.
When it comes to cutting out sugar there are two big obstacles that might get in your way. First, sugar is in almost every staple of the American diet. Many everyday foods like breads, sauces, and snacks contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Additionally, simple carbs found in things like white bread or fruit juice break down into glucose, causing issues equivalent to sugar. The best way to cut out sugar is to be aware of what you’re eating. Read nutritional labels and shy away from processed foods in favor of whole foods.
