As if you didn’t need another reason to cut back on sugar, now new research shows that sugar may be aging you! That’s right, sugar doesn’t just add to your waistline, it adds years to your face.
A new study published in the journal Age found that when researchers had people guess how old volunteers in the study were, they discovered that every 0.18 gram increase in volunteers’ blood sugar was associated with a five-month increase in perceived age! The study also found that healthy people with low blood sugar typically looked a year younger than those with high readings, and a year-and-a-half younger than diabetics.
Researchers say glucose can directly damage the skin proteins collagen and elastin, which adds years to the aging process. Collagen and elastin are what makes the skin supple and young-looking, so you want to preserve these proteins, not destroy them!
“The higher glucose people had, they started looking older. Diabetics looked older again, and they have had the worst exposure to high glucose levels,” said lead researcher David Gunn. “This adds extra evidence that there is another reason to have a healthy lifestyle – because it is going to affect your appearance as well as your health.”
Exactly – it’s just another reason to cut back on refined sugars. Eliminate all processed junk foods, sugary cereals, white bread, and other simple carbs from your diet for 2 weeks and see how much better you feel! It may take a little longer to see the effect on your appearance, but at least you can rest assured you’re not aging any faster than you have to!
