Sugar makes you look older

A proper diet is a key element in the prevention of health and youthful appearance.

The way we eat affects the quality of our lives and bad eating habits affect not only our health, but also our appearance. Wrinkles appearing too quickly, flaccid skin, discoloration, stretch marks, cellulite are an important signal that our diet leaves much to be desired.

There are many factors that influence how quickly our bodies age, in addition to genetics and age, and how much sugar we consume. Even the best cosmetics will not help if we do not change our eating habits. According to many studies, sugars account for up to 40% of faster skin aging and discoloration.
Unfortunately, the rapid aging of the body can be caused by excess sugar, which accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, and too much processed food and fast food. Excess sugar in the diet leads to glycation processes (AGE).

What is the glycation process? After eating something sweet, the blood glucose level rises very quickly, which causes the pancreas to react, which immediately produces insulin. Unfortunately, insulin often fails to process all the glucose molecules that circulate in the blood and attach to proteins and destroy them. This process contributes to the development of unfavorable changes in blood vessels, as well as in collagen, which is the basic building protein of the skin. Unfortunately, collagen fibers are particularly susceptible to this process. Glycation also leads to the transformation of the structure of collagen fibers – from the type found in young skin, it turns into collagen characteristic of older skin. Collagen is also an active protein and is involved in removing toxins from cells.
also contributes to the formation of irregularities in the appearance of the skin.
AGE molecules, by overstimulating the work of many
cell receptors, also cause the formation of free radicals and inflammation.
It is these factors that accelerate the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin and even changes in the shape of the face.

It has also been proven that sugar, by exacerbating inflammation, promotes acne and hinders its treatment.
The phenomenon of glycation can be counteracted, among others, by starving
fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells), i.e. by limiting the supply
of carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars.

It is also worth remembering not to consume products containing large amounts of sugar on an empty stomach, because then there is a rapid increase in carbohydrates in the blood, which affects the process of protein glycation. In addition, the consumption of carbohydrates should be supported with protein food and good fats.
If we care about maintaining healthy, radiant and young-looking skin, we must eliminate or significantly reduce the consumption of processed simple carbohydrates: sweets, sweet drinks, juices, white bread, white pasta, etc.

Let us remember that sugar can be found not only in sweets, but also in
bread, sausages, ketchup, breakfast cereals, flavored yoghurts and other processed products.