Diet Focus: Sugar

For the second installment of my Diet Focus series, I’m going to be looking at Sugar.  We all know that it isn’t great for our health, but can it really damage our skin?

The truth is a high sugar intake isn’t good for any skin type.

I’ve talked before about how sugar disrupts hormone levels which in turn causes breakouts (it’s why low quality chocolate can give you spots..it’s not a myth!)

But sugar can also cause premature ageing and aggravate sensitive skin.

When high levels of sugar molecules enter your system a process called glycation occurs – in which they attach themselves to the body’s fats and proteins.

Collagen and elastin – the proteins responsible for firm, supple and elastic skin – are most prone to this and it causes them to become stiff and brittle.

The process of Glycation also makes skin more sensitive to environmental stresses such as sun exposure, and free radical damage from smoke and pollution.

Sugar in your diet: 

Sugar is addictive so some suggest going cold turkey for three days is the best way to stave off the cravings and regulate sugar levels.

Complete elimination though may be unrealistic for many, I for one have a terrible sweet tooth and feeble willpower!

If you are craving something sweet, try switching to natural sugars over refined ones. The latter – typically found in milk chocolate, sweets, most cakes and synthetic drinks – goes through extensive processing from sugar cane or beet to white ‘table’ sugar, which is depleted of any vitamins, minerals, proteins and fibres.

Good natural sweetener alternatives include manuka honey, maple or agave syrups and stevia.

Have you got your glow back since cutting back on sugar? Would love to hear your sweetener replacement recipes