Excess sugar contributes to the formation of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) which age your skin. They promote the breakdown of collagen and lead to signs of premature ageing. When collagen and elastin become damaged, the skin loses its firmness and starts sagging and forming wrinkles.
Key Takeaways: Glycation Process: Sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins, creating harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damage collagen and elastin, essential for maintaining youthful skin.
Supporting collagen production: Collagen is a protein that is essential for healthy skin, but consuming too much sugar can damage collagen and lead to premature aging. By quitting sugar, you can help support collagen production and maintain a youthful appearance.
Reducing inflammation: Consuming too much sugar can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation in the body, which can contribute to skin problems such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. Quitting sugar can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can in turn lead to clearer and healthier-looking skin.
Within two weeks of quitting sugar, you may experience a better mood, have higher energy levels, and even speed up your weight loss.
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.
The main types of enzymes which are responsible for collagen degradation are collagenases, which belong to a group of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs.) Collagenases are released by several cells in the body including macrophages, fibroblasts, neutrophils and tumor cells.
Simply put, sugar affects your skin because it damages collagen, which results in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And if that is not enough, sugar can break down your skin's elasticity and eventually your skin will appear to sag, if you eat a lot of it.
Sugar withdrawal generally lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Each person will go through the withdrawal process differently, and the intensity of symptoms will depend on whether you fully cut out sugar or slowly wean off it.
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.
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.
Bone Broth
Chicken bone broth is a potent source of collagen. This broth, made by boiling chicken bones in water, is believed to extract collagen, thus supporting body health.
Collagen production naturally declines with age, but other factors, such as sun exposure and smoking, can also speed up this process. Consuming enough Vitamin C, zinc, and certain amino acids can support its synthesis.
Besides time, three main things will lower your collagen levels: sunlight, smoking, and sugar. Too much exposure to ultraviolet light makes its fibers unravel. This can lead to sun damage, such as wrinkles. Many of the chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage it, which can make skin sag and wrinkle.
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.”
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.
Improved Hydration – without sugar, your skin retains more moisture, resulting in a more hydrated and radiant complexion. Less Redness – reducing sugar intake can calm inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea and eczema, leading to a more even skin tone.