6 Ways Sugar
IMPACTS YOUR HEALTH
Maybe you didn’t even know there’s a link between sugar and aging skin. But there definitely is!
It’s possible those fine lines and wrinkles are due to genetics or even too many fun days in the sun. But I say…keep your friends close and your enemies closer, because there’s another culprit you need to get to know…sugar!
When sugar enters your body, it binds to different proteins in a process known as glycation. Collagen and elastin, both building blocks of skin, are proteins, so even small amounts of sugar can cause wrinkles, dark circles, and dull, dehydrated skin.
Sugar fast tracks the aging process, which is not very sweet.
When you indulge in the white stuff, it impacts almost every system of your body, from your brain to your cells. Here are 6 ways that sugar fast-tracks the aging process and impacts your health…
Your Brain Suffers – The brain uses more glucose (sugar) than any other organ in the body, but sugar can negatively affect the brain when used in excess. Sugar has a “drug-like effect” on the brain’s reward center, and too much of it causes addictive responses like sugar cravings. It also has negative impacts on memory because of its inflammatory properties.
You Want to Eat More – Research reveals that by revving the brain’s reward and appetite center, fructose can interfere with feelings of satiety. Translation: That extra cookie may not curb your craving after all!
Skin Ages Faster – Too much sugar can hinder the repair of collagen, the buzzed-about protein that keeps skin looking plump. Too many sugary treats can result in reduced elasticity and premature wrinkles. Try indulging your sweet tooth with fruit instead. Experts say eating two to four servings of the natural sugar source of natural sugar a day is perfectly okay.
Excess Sugar Is Stored as Fat – Pause before you slip that extra packet of sweet stuff into your a.m. coffee. The liver metabolizes sugar and uses it for energy, but we often eat more than our bodies can use up. The glucose left over is converted into fat, raising your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Your Cells Pay a Steep Price – Sugar accelerates the usual oxidation process in our cells. As a result, proteins, tissues, and organs can become damaged, and our risk of health conditions rises.
Energy Surges, Then Bottoms Out – Sugar and even refined carbs, like those in white bread and pasta, quickly cause a rise in glucose in the bloodstream. So while you might feel energized for a while, it’s only temporary. You will likely be more sluggish later (when you eventually crash).
