If you have a sweet tooth and like nothing better than to reach for a dessert or order a fizzy drink with your meal, then you might want to reconsider!

Not only does sugar contribute towards weight gain, but it may also be advancing the ageing process and contributing towards the formation of unwanted wrinkles!

We all know that sunshine and cigarettes aren’t good for the skin, but turns out, sugar plays havoc with more than just the size of your waistline. A diet packed with processed foods, that’s high in artificial sugars and sweeteners, could lead to you piling on unwanted pounds. Simply put, sugar has a toxic effect on the body. 

So if you’re ready to ditch that sugar habit….read on! And even if you’re not quite there yet, this article might make you reconsider your current sugar intake.

Why Sugar Accelerates The Ageing Process

Step away from the Haribo! Everyone’s favourite childhood sweet might be making you look older than your years.

Today we’re lifting the lid on the main reasons why your sugar addiction is making you look old and what you can do to counteract it.

Whether it’s a jam donut with your afternoon cuppa, a pre-packaged ready meal laden with invisible sugars, or a can of your favourite fizzy ‘pop”, sugar leads to faster skin ageing. FACT. 

Not only that... it can also have a detrimental impact on the immune system, breaking down collagen production and increasing inflammation. 

“But it tastes so good” we hear you cry! 

Don’t be fooled. Natural flavours are every bit as delicious and so much better for you.  

The Relationship Between Sugar And Loss Of Collagen

(Image for illustrative purposes only)

There is a very real link between sugar consumption and the breakdown of skin collagen.

Just as a person might be labelled  “skinny fat”, if you eat a lot of sugar over an extended period of time, damage is being done. Only, unlike with the accumulation of visceral (or stubborn) hidden fat, damage caused by sugar is only too visible. 

It’s all down to the production of excess glucose. 

The presence of excess glucose, attributed to a diet high in sugar, forms something that’s known as AGEs (see what we did there?) 

This stands for advanced glycosylation endproducts. We won’t get too scientific on you but let’s just say that AGEs... age you. They contribute towards a loss of collagen flexibility and strength which, you got it, leads to saggy and wrinkly skin.

The good news is that there are three things you can do to counteract the effects of a diet high in sugar.

1. Cut down on your sugar intake. 
2. Start eating more collagen in your diet. You can read about the top 10 foods that will help you naturally boost your collagen HERE. 
3. Take a high-quality marine collagen supplement.

CHECK OUT TODAY'S COLLAGEN DEALS

The Relationship Between Sugar And Increased Inflammation

Did you know that inflammation is the body’s natural defence mechanism?

When we encounter viruses, toxins as well as bacteria, our body becomes inflamed to help repair damaged tissues. 

Short term, a small amount of inflammation is a good thing. But long term, prolonged inflammation has a detrimental effect on the body and in particular, may lead to bone issues including arthritis. Inflammation has also been linked to serious diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. 

But what’s that got to do with your sugar intake?

Well, studies have shown that by digesting large amounts of high-glucose carbs (aka sugar), oxidative stress is caused throughout the body, which triggers an inflammatory response. 

Sugar Also Leads To A Fatty Liver

When we consume sugar it gets broken down into two components. One is glucose, the other fructose. 

Glucose is used as energy to power the cells in our body. However, fructose gets sent to the liver and unless it’s processed and used up, is converted to fat. Specifically liver fat which contributes to unwanted weight gain and elevated cholesterol levels. 

Sugar Weakens The Immune System

Studies have shown that sugar attacks our white blood cell activity. As we age, our immune system naturally weakens anyway. Throw a high sugar diet into the mix, and the body’s immune system, not just the skin, also ages prematurely. 

The result is a reduction in the body’s defense mechanism. The weaker the immune system, the more open we leave ourselves to infection and disease. 

What Steps Can I Take To Ditch Sugar?

While it can be challenging to give up sugar due to its addictive nature, it’s not impossible to cut back on the amount you consume. Try to add foods into your diet that naturally replace your sweet tooth. And try to follow a diet that consists of foods that are naturally high in collagen. Like the ones we’ve listed out in this BLOG.

At Reverse Life we’re committed to the highest levels of customer service and take all your  feedback on board. We know many of you are concerned about sugar, or are following popular nutritional and diet programmes, including keto-friendly, low-carb and high-protein. So we’re removing the sugar from our best selling marine collagen drink. Making the best, even better! So grab yourself a healthy, daily habit. Ditch the sugar and the wrinkles!

CHECK OUT TODAY'S COLLAGEN DEALS