Effects of Sugar on Skin & Aging
-
Fact
-
A diet high in sugary foods can leave the skin dull and wrinkled and can cause the skin to lose elasticity over time.
Expert Insight
-
Through the process of glycation, sugar in a person's bloodstream attaches to proteins to form advanced glycation end products, or AGEs.
Significance
-
As the amount of sugar in a person's diet grows, so does the amount of AGE in their bloodstream, damaging nearby proteins.
Prevention
-
Limiting sugar intake, taking vitamins and supplements and using over-the-counter items such as sunscreen and wrinkle cream are things most people need to do in order to avoid looking old before they're ready.
Solution
-
Vitamins such as B1 and B6 as well as supplements like fish oil and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel and sardines do wonders to strengthen the skin, and the premature aging that comes from a diet high in sugar can certainly be avoided.
-