An excess of sugar molecules in our diet can make us age faster.

How: The metabolism of sugar digests it into smaller pieces and releases toxic waste, called Advanced Glycation End Products Or AGEs which act as reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that damage the structure of collagen. (Collagen is the protein that keeps skin supple and taut.)

Slower Natural Aging: The skin loses collagen increasingly faster after the age of thirty. Skin habits like sun protection, not smoking and having a low sugar low preservative diet help preserve collagen.

Hormones And Sugar: Reduction of refined sugar in diet also helps balance the hormones and reduce adult acne & risk of scarring in women who have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) the commonest endocrine disorder which affects 10% women across the world.

Quit Sugar?: Though it is not advisable to completely eliminate any food group from your diet without specific instructions to do so by a trained nutritionist, keeping an eye on the hidden sugars reaching your skin is a good idea. Sugars hide not just in desserts and fruit juices, but in sauces and salad dressings, in salty foods and preserved foods as well.  Include antioxidant anti inflammatory foods and supplements in your diet which limit/undo the work of free radicals on all body cells not just in skin; such as vitamin C, omega 3 and 6, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Best,

Dr Sonam Yadav

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