SUGAR AND ITS EFFECT ON AGING .
Cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, and chocolates ! The sugar cravings never ends .
The promise of a slim waistline has only been a temporary motivator as I see myself fall prey to sweet temptations more often than I would like .
The shocker recently came when I found out that excess refined sugar is a big contributor to skin aging .
The culprit to be blamed for this is a natural process called glycation, where blood sugar attaches itself to proteins and makes way for AGEs (Advanced Glyacting End products) . These AGE molecules can cause premature aging , skin dullness and sagging skin and these molecules are directly linked with sugar .
Sweet nothings are not nothing , after all !
THE SUGAR IMPACT
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Research and studies indicate that sugars in the form of added carbohydrates or refined sugars can lead to premature aging , sagging skin and more wrinkles .
When we consume simple sugars in the form of starches such as rice , bread , potatoes and sweets , there is a rapid rise in blood sugar levels . This blood sugar then combines with the protein molecules and gives birth to the new AGE molecule .
Apart from the usual sugar-related health impact , AGEs also affect the skin in the following ways :
1 ; Damages elastin and skin protein collagen , which are responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness .
2 ; Restricts the body’s ability to utilize and produce anti-oxidants, making the body more vulnerable to damage by free radicals.
3 ; Makes your skin more vulnerable and prone to sun damage (which is one of the leading causes of skin aging) by deactivating the body’s natural antioxidant enzymes.
The math here is simple. The more sugar you consume, the more vulnerable you are to the damaging effects of glycation and skin aging .
The sugar impact is felt mostly after the age of 35 , as tissue regeneration slows down and glycation increases .
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
To prevent the damage caused by sugar you need to cut down on the added sugars from your diet . Though it is not possible to completely eliminate sugar (such as sugar in the form of fructose and sucrose, which are unavoidable and produce end products such as glucose and galactose , which can be easily digested so eliminating these natural sugars is not required ) .
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO AVOID DAMAGE FROM HIGH CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR
Avoid food with added and high sugar content such as sweets , chocolates , carbonated beverages .
Limit the consumption of simple carbohydrates such as potato , pasta , white bread and white rice .
Increase protein intake to control carb cravings .
TO COUNTERACT THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY SUGAR YOU NEED TO ;
Replace processed sugars with natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables .
Limit refined sugar consumption to less than 10% of your total calorie intake .
Supplement your diet with essential vitamins such as a daily dose of 1mg of Vitamin B1 and B6 .
Fight the detrimental effect of AGEs by reducing / avoiding sun exposure especially between 10 A.M and 4 P.M when UV rays are at their strongest by using a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen .
Increase the intake of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids by eating brightly colored vegetables , fruits and cold water fish such as salmon and sardines .
Add a handful of nuts to your diet and sip on antioxidant-rich green tea instead of coffee or regular black tea .
Use an antioxidant rich anti-aging cream and follow a meticulous beauty and skin care routine .
If a slimmer waistline isn’t motivation enough , think about your skin and health and cut out the sugar !
The promise of a slim waistline has only been a temporary motivator as I see myself fall prey to sweet temptations more often than I would like .
The shocker recently came when I found out that excess refined sugar is a big contributor to skin aging .
The culprit to be blamed for this is a natural process called glycation, where blood sugar attaches itself to proteins and makes way for AGEs (Advanced Glyacting End products) . These AGE molecules can cause premature aging , skin dullness and sagging skin and these molecules are directly linked with sugar .
Sweet nothings are not nothing , after all !
THE SUGAR IMPACT
.jpg)
Research and studies indicate that sugars in the form of added carbohydrates or refined sugars can lead to premature aging , sagging skin and more wrinkles .
When we consume simple sugars in the form of starches such as rice , bread , potatoes and sweets , there is a rapid rise in blood sugar levels . This blood sugar then combines with the protein molecules and gives birth to the new AGE molecule .
Apart from the usual sugar-related health impact , AGEs also affect the skin in the following ways :
1 ; Damages elastin and skin protein collagen , which are responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness .
2 ; Restricts the body’s ability to utilize and produce anti-oxidants, making the body more vulnerable to damage by free radicals.
3 ; Makes your skin more vulnerable and prone to sun damage (which is one of the leading causes of skin aging) by deactivating the body’s natural antioxidant enzymes.
The math here is simple. The more sugar you consume, the more vulnerable you are to the damaging effects of glycation and skin aging .
The sugar impact is felt mostly after the age of 35 , as tissue regeneration slows down and glycation increases .
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
To prevent the damage caused by sugar you need to cut down on the added sugars from your diet . Though it is not possible to completely eliminate sugar (such as sugar in the form of fructose and sucrose, which are unavoidable and produce end products such as glucose and galactose , which can be easily digested so eliminating these natural sugars is not required ) .
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO AVOID DAMAGE FROM HIGH CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR
Avoid food with added and high sugar content such as sweets , chocolates , carbonated beverages .
Limit the consumption of simple carbohydrates such as potato , pasta , white bread and white rice .
Increase protein intake to control carb cravings .
TO COUNTERACT THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY SUGAR YOU NEED TO ;
Replace processed sugars with natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables .
Limit refined sugar consumption to less than 10% of your total calorie intake .
Supplement your diet with essential vitamins such as a daily dose of 1mg of Vitamin B1 and B6 .
Fight the detrimental effect of AGEs by reducing / avoiding sun exposure especially between 10 A.M and 4 P.M when UV rays are at their strongest by using a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen .
Increase the intake of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids by eating brightly colored vegetables , fruits and cold water fish such as salmon and sardines .
Add a handful of nuts to your diet and sip on antioxidant-rich green tea instead of coffee or regular black tea .
Use an antioxidant rich anti-aging cream and follow a meticulous beauty and skin care routine .
If a slimmer waistline isn’t motivation enough , think about your skin and health and cut out the sugar !
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