Understanding Glycation:

Sugar damage to your skin happens through a natural process called glycation. The sugar in your bloodstream attaches to protein and produces harmful free radicals called advanced glycation end products. As advanced glycation end products accumulate (the more sugar you consume the more develop), they damage the proteins around them.

Sugar in Our Diet:

Ageing is a natural process, but poor diet accelerates the process, especially skin aging. Advanced Glycation end products are formed when sugar and protein react inside your body. It damages the collagen and elastin of the skin, contributing to wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Sugar is in almost everything we eat from natural sugars, processed foods, and fruit and vegetables.

Foods high in sugar like Yogurt and low-fat yogurt, Breakfast cereals, Fruit juice, Smoothies, Fruit, Dried fruit, Low fat diet foods, Sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce and salad dressing, and Meat rubs and marinades.

Signs of Sugar Aging on the Face:

What happens in our bodies when sugar aging happens?

Physiological Effects of Sugar Aging:

Natural Antioxidant enzymes. Advanced Glycation end products deactivate your body’s natural antioxidant enzymes, without protection from antioxidants, your skin is more vulnerable to the free radical damage caused by environmental assailants like pollution, blue light and UV rays left to roam (bind to your skin’s structural proteins) free radicals triggers oxidative stress that contributes to premature aging of your skin.

Inflammation: inflammation leads to broken capillaries, loss of skin elasticity and breakdown of cells. All in which fast track aging.

Bone: sugar intake can increase the risk of osteoporosis which leads to premature aging.

Human growth hormone: Glucose suppresses the human growth hormone which is responsible for body composition, muscle and bone growth, fat metabolism and heat function without it you will feel and look older.

Damage to collagen and elastin: These proteins keep skin firm and elastic. Advanced glycation end products make your collagen and elastin stiff, dry and brittle, zapping them strength and spring. The effects are seen on your complexion in the form of fine lines, sagging and wrinkles.

Glycation: when sugar enters your bloodstream it binds to proteins. Collagen and elastin are both proteins and building blocks for the skin. During Glycation, toxic compounds called advanced glycation end products are produced. These cause wrinkles, sagging skin, dark circles under the eye and complications to organs and blood steam.

Caution Against DIY Sugar-based Skincare:

DIY homemade sugar scrubs and mask may be harmful: They are not guaranteed effectiveness, they may contain irritants, May cause damage to skin, Not clinically proven and May cause irritation, micro cuts, redness and irritation.

In Conclusion:

What do you think? Do you still like sugar?