To reverse the effects of sugar, Dr. Nish says we can reduce the metabolic consequences of sugar (diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome) and possibly some of the aging aspects. But, unfortunately, we're stuck with the skin changes from ingested sugar.
Sagging skin and wrinkles. Moreover, digested sugar permanently binds to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. This not only accelerates the aging process but can also worsen skin conditions like acne and rosacea.
Dermatologists believe that within just 72 to 96 hours of a sugar detox, most people regain a better skin tone, even complexion, and a hydrated appearance.
Load Up On Antioxidants
These naturally occurring vitamins and minerals throw a wrench in glycation by preventing sugar from attaching to proteins. Your body produces antioxidants naturally, but you can also find them in everyday foods like berries, leafy greens and coffee. You can even find them in your skincare.
To reverse the effects of sugar, Dr. Nish says we can reduce the metabolic consequences of sugar (diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome) and possibly some of the aging aspects. But, unfortunately, we're stuck with the skin changes from ingested sugar.
Berries, dark chocolate, and green tea are excellent sources of antioxidants that can help counteract the effects of glycation on your skin and overall health. Raw fruit and veggies are also high in antioxidants. Plus, they contain enzymes that can help repair damage caused by glycation.
Visible Skin Damage: The effects of sugar on the skin manifest as wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of facial volume, particularly noticeable in areas like the jowls and cheeks.
Acnes are created because of too much sebum in our body. Therefore, cutting back on sugar will slow down this process and reduce the creation bidding goodbye to pimples, breakouts, and acne which are caused because of too much oil on our skin's surface.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have found a link between following a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially one without much added sugar, and having a younger biological age at the cellular level.
Over time, glycation in vivo causes skin AGEs to accumulate, resulting in wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dullness, and decreased function of skin, which is one of the main mechanisms of skin aging [67].
Improved skin health: Cutting sugar from your diet may also improve the health of your skin and alleviate conditions such as acne, eczema, or premature ageing. Enhanced mood and cognitive function: Experience increased feelings of happiness, less anxiety and depression, and better memory recall and focus.
Ways to reduce facial fat include exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables, limiting processed and sugary foods, and staying hydrated. Other certain lifestyle and diet changes can further help a person lose weight and achieve a slimmer-looking face.
QUITTING SUGAR: BENEFITS FOR SKIN
Fewer Wrinkles – lower sugar intake reduces glycation, preserving collagen and elastin, which helps minimize wrinkles and fine lines. Reduced Acne – cutting out sugar stabilizes insulin levels, reducing oil production and inflammation, leading to fewer breakouts.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to reverse the glycation process, but it can be slowed down by adopting a healthy lifestyle and a suitable skincare routine.
Drinking water and staying hydrated is important for managing blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. “Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.”
What can you eat on a no-sugar diet? “You can eat any whole food,” Keatley says. He lists off fruits, vegetables, starches, legumes, nuts, meats, and more as go-to foods on this diet. “When you start dipping into foods that have been modified, that's when you need to inspect the food label,” he says.
You may simply have a genetic pre-disposition to store more fat in your face and buccal fat pads. Additionally, many people are simply born with a naturally larger or thicker buccal fat pads. This fat storage isn't always evenly distributed either – you may have larger buccal fat pads but have a slim body.
Condiments and sauces: Ketchup, jarred pasta sauce, barbecue sauce, and salad dressings may taste savory, but they often hide added sugars. Protein bars or yogurt: These foods can be a good way to add protein to your diet, but some of them could have high amounts of added sugars.
Can Glycation Be Reversed? While glycation itself cannot be stopped altogether, it can be slowed down and its effects reversed or even prevented in the future. Our bodies can use antioxidants to combat the negative effects of glycation, but this defense is often not enough when dealing with accelerated AGE formation.
Authors found that chronic caloric restriction decreased the glycation rate of skin proteins, resulting in the reduction of age-related accumulation of these metabolites in cutaneous collagen [54].
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
One of the nutrients, ascorbic acid, was used in a pilot study. Eighteen normal subjects, 7 college age and 10 middle age, were supplemented with 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid in the form of Re-Natured Vitamin C® for a period of 4 weeks. Serum protein glycation was decreased an average of 46.8% (P < 0.01).