Introduction
As we age, our skin begins to show signs of wear and tear. While genetics and lifestyle choices play a role in how quickly our skin ages, the food we eat can also have a significant impact. According to science, there is one food in particular that is the worst for aging your skin faster. In this article, we will discuss what this food is and provide some healthier alternatives that you can eat instead.
The #1 Worst Food That Ages Your Skin Faster, Says Science — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to keep your skin looking young and healthy, you may want to avoid certain foods. According to science, there is one food in particular that can age your skin faster than any other. That food is sugar.
Sugar is a major culprit when it comes to aging skin. It causes inflammation, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. It also breaks down collagen, which is the protein that helps keep skin looking firm and youthful. Eating too much sugar can also lead to dryness and dullness.
So what should you eat instead? Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, are great for keeping skin looking young. Foods that are high in healthy fats, such as avocados and nuts, can also help keep skin looking youthful. And foods that are high in protein, such as lean meats and fish, can help keep skin looking firm and toned.
By avoiding sugar and eating a balanced diet full of healthy foods, you can help keep your skin looking young and healthy for years to come.
People will do practically anything to look younger, from undergoing invasive medical procedures to spending hundreds of dollars on topical treatments that promise to turn back the clock. However, there’s an easier way to make it look like you’ve found the fountain of youth—and it starts on your plate.
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In fact, research suggests that there’s one type of food that can significantly speed up the appearance of aging on your skin: candy.
How candy makes your skin age faster
Made primarily from refined sugars, most candies typically lack significant amounts of protein, fiber, or healthy fat. Not only does this leave you feeling hungry shortly after consuming them—often leading to more sugar cravings—it can also cause a major spike in your blood glucose levels.
Research suggests that, over time, this may actually influence how old you look. A 2013 study published in the journal Age found that, among a group of 602 adult participants in the Leiden Longevity Study, “perceived age increased 0.40 years (SE = 0.14, p = 0.006) per 1 mmol/L increase in glucose level in non-diabetic subjects.”
What’s more, research published in Nutrients reveals that dietary sugars can lead to the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Over time, AGEs can have cutaneous manifestations, including a loss of elasticity in skin cells, according to a 2016 study published in Scientific Reports.
RELATED: How to Reverse Aging, Say Studies
Do you need to avoid candy completely?
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to cut your favorite sweet treats out of your diet forever. A 2015 study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that the order in which nutrient groups are consumed can have a significant effect on how high your blood sugar spikes.
The study revealed that consuming vegetables and protein-rich foods prior to eating carbohydrate-rich ones reduced blood glucose levels by approximately 29%, 37%, and 17% after 30, 60, and 120 minutes as compared to when study subjects consumed carbohydrates first, followed by other foods.
So feel free to indulge from time to time, just do so in moderation—and maybe consider having a few veggies first to balance things out.
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