According to the statement by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism of Malaysia, sugar consumption among Malaysians exceeds the 50gm daily limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). [Source]
Consuming too much sugar is not only bad for your health, but will also have negative effects on your figure and skin. If you yearn to have clear, youthful and blemish-free skin, your knack for reaching out for something sweet and sugary may actually be the cause of that not happening at all.
How does sugar affect my skin?
According to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D., the secret to great skin lies in shunning sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates where it causes inflammation. The rise in blood sugar in your body actually makes you age faster, and that’s not only limited to your skin, but rather your brain and heart muscle too. Too much sugar also affects the production of collagen in the skin in a process called “glycation”, where it affects the elasticity of skin, making it stiff. This gives you deep wrinkles and makes you look a few years older than you actually should. In short, high blood sugar levels destroys the skin’s collagen and elastin – so, if you’re trying to delay the aging process, tossing those candy bars and sodas in the bin will be a good idea. [Source]
The inflammation of your skin caused by sugar doesn’t only affect the skin’s elasticity. Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas says that a lot of people do not realize that their skin directly correlates to our digestive system. “If we eat something we can’t digest or have trouble digesting, there are consequences”. [Source]
You are what you eat, right? If indulging in a deep fried delicacy can give you a tiny zit the following day, why wouldn’t that chocolate bar? Those breakouts may not really be caused by those hormones like you always thought. Another problem to worry about – because sugar attaches itself to the proteins in the bloodstream (as explained in glycation), consuming sugar has more long-term effects on your skin. The inflammation on your skin will not only affect elasticity or cause breakouts, but it even cause continual breakouts.
What sugars should I avoid?
It’s really not easy to live sugar-free since just about everything, including vegetable turns into glucose – a form of sugar that fuels glycation. Here’s a list of various sugars or food products that disguises the word ‘sugar’ with something fancy:
Corn syrup
Fruit juice concentrate
Dextrose
Barley malt
Maltose
Maple syrup
Molasses
Turbinado
Sucrose
Don’t forget that carb-rich foods like pasta, bread, potatoes and rice also convert into sugar.
How do I save my skin?
With all the harsh truth we’ve exposed, by all means – do not fast yourself from eating anything sugary because soon your mood will crash and you will suffer from a more intense craving for sugar. Simply make these new lifestyle changes and you should see some new glow in your skin already.
1. Substitute your sugar
Natural plant-based sweeteners are great alternatives for table sugar. Raw honey, Stevia and maple syrup are great sugar substitutes that also add a touch a flavor. Other than that, you can try some natural spices like cinnamon to take your mind off the need for sugar.
2. Cut down on complex carbs
Complex carbohydrates like bread, pasta and rice turn into sugar once it’s process in the body. However, there’s no need to complete ban carbohydrates out of your diet. Stick to a small portion as you only need carbohydrates to fuel energy in your body. So, only consume what you require, and go for whole grain options instead.
3. Get some sleep
Getting sufficient sleep does not only give you good skin but it having enough rest reduces your need for something sweet. Once your body is energized from the sufficient rest, your body will not have crave for a surge of energy from a candy bar.
4. Nourish yourself
Your body has cravings for high-sugar foods because of the low blood sugar levels in your body. Stock up on some nutrients like chromium, vitamins and magnesium to bring your blood sugar level back into its natural state. This way, you won’t have that many cravings for a sweet pick-me-up.
[Photo credit: Inmagine]
