sweet trouble (or how sugar impacts your skin)
Our universal love of sugar has some salty consequences—especially regarding our skin. While indulging in the occasional sugary treat is probably harmless, the effects of sugar on skin health might make you reconsider raiding your kids’ Halloween haul. Let’s dive into how those sweet crystals can wreak havoc on our largest organ: our skin.
the glycation game
Consumed sugar binds to proteins in our body, forming harmful molecules known as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This not-so-sweet process can lead to collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for keeping our skin firm and elastic—becoming stiff and brittle. The result? Wrinkled, sagging, dull skin.
breakouts, meet sugar
If you’re dealing with acne, sugar might be an unexpected culprit. High sugar consumption can lead to insulin spikes, triggering inflammation throughout your body. These spikes also stimulate your body to produce more oily sebum in your skin. Both inflammation and excess sebum can pave the way for breakouts, and if you’re prone to redness or irritation, excessive sugar could be the cause.
the sweet solution
- reduce the amount of sugar you regularly add to beverages and foods. Try halving the usual amount. Continue decreasing the sugar until your taste buds adjust.
- compare nutrition labels and choose products with the lowest amounts of added sugars. Dairy and fruit products will contain some natural sugars, but added sugars can be identified on the ingredients list.
- when baking, cut the sugar called for in your recipe by one-third to one-half. You likely won’t notice a big difference
In addition to the skin health benefits we’ve discussed, there are plenty of other important reasons to cut or eliminate sugar from your diet, including weight management, heart health, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
