Is Sugar Aging Your Skin? And What to Do

Two of the biggest factors contributing to premature skin aging (wrinkles, sagging, and loss of radiance) are consuming sugar and UV rays. 

Sugar damages your skin through a natural process called glycation. The sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to produce harmful free radicals called advanced glycation end products (appropriately called AGEs). As AGEs accumulate (the more sugar you eat, the more susceptible you are) they damage the proteins around them, giving way to the "sugar sag" effect. 

The proteins in the skin most prone to glycation are the same ones that give your skin that youthful glow, collagen and elastin. When glycation occurs it shows up on your skin as wrinkles, sagging, and dullness.

The presence of AGEs also makes the skin more vulnerable to the aging effects of the sun. 

So, what can we do about it? First and foremost, do your best to avoid the big culprits on a regular basis: white sugar, high fructose corn syrup and simple carbohydrates. Favor whole grains, complex carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, fruit, and natural sweeteners like monkfruit and stevia instead.

And, as a bonus: consume green tea. Green tea has been proven to significantly interfere with the glycation process while also stimulating collagen production. Just one of the many reasons we love superstar ingredient Matcha. Looking for ways to incorporate more green tea? It's a key ingredient in our Greens Ritual daily super powder. 

Need some help breaking up with sugar? Try our gentle 10-Day Sugar Detox. It's enjoyable, it's easy, and you'll feel amazing.