What are the effects of sugar on the skin?
This is both the best and worst time of year for a sweet tooth like me. Between the leftover Halloween candy and the upcoming holiday desserts, the amount of sugar being consumed is ungodly. On one hand, you want to satisfy your holiday cravings. On the other hand, you are often told that ‘sugar is bad for you’. In the end, you decide to eat that last Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup because you don’t know how it can actually affect you and your skin. Truth be told, the facts about refined and added sugar are scary; you’re going to want to think twice before indulging. For one, sugar causes inflammation. “Sugar is highly acidic and causes blood sugar levels to surge and plummet, which leads to inflammation.” Even worse, this inflammation can cause breakouts (Cates par. 2)!
Sugar’s inflammatory properties also lead to wrinkles. Dr. Trevor Cates writes “Collagen is what keeps your skin looking young and wrinkle-free but sugar attacks collagen, eating it on a cellular level. This dehydrates your skin and makes it look dull. And, of course, dehydration also leads to premature wrinkles” (Cates par. 3) The dehydration from a sugar overload can also cause the water from your body’s cells to disappear. This physically leads to dry, puffy skin and terrible under-eye circles. (Cates par. 7) Too much sugar can also lead to red, irritated skin, rashes, and yeast imbalances.
To protect yourself and your skin, make sure maintain balanced blood sugar levels…
● Eat meals that contain plenty of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
● Eliminating sugar tends to lead to a better functioning digestive tract, fewer food cravings, and better skin!
● If you want a touch of sweetness, opt for fresh fruit or the natural sweetener Stevia instead.
● Follow a plant-based diet as much as possible, avoiding foods with added sweeteners, to boost your antioxidant levels.
● Eliminate refined and added sugars and focus on beautifying green veggies!
Credit
Cates, Dr. Trevor. “The Scary Facts About Sugar and Your Skin.” The Spa Dr., 15 Oct. 2018, thespadr.com/the-scary-facts-about-sugar-and-your-skin/.
