Sugar attaches to proteins in the skin and create something called advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. In turn, these AGEs break down the collagen as well as elastin.
Insert mirror to check for wrinkles here. But before you get on the latest bandwagon crash diet, you better think twice.
Crash Diets are NOT the Answer
Crash diets--especially those without enough protein--can contribute to thinning and premature gray hair. Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E in your hair, which is crucial for healthy hair growth.Sure, you might temporarily gain your pre-holiday figure back, but doing so by crash dieting may deprive your body of many of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs everyday to stay healthy. Dieting also has been proven to speed up the aging process. Rapid muscle and tissue loss will cause your skin to appear looser and wrinkled.
Instead of Sugary Sweets, Opt For:
- Eggs contain a B vitamin, biotin, which is great for scalp health.
- Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron. Vitamin C is also great for aiding your immune system in fighting off nasty illnesses that are synonymous with the winter season.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids support scalp health. They also keep your skin naturally glowing; whenever you lack these fatty acids then your skin might appear dull and dry.
- Sweet Potatoes are packed with Vitamin A, which moisturizes skin and hair.
You Don't Have to Give Up Sugar Completely...
There will be times (especially during the holidays) that you will want to cheat a little with your diet. Keeping your skin, hair, and overall health in mind, these might help curb your cravings without causing too much of a stir:- Dark chocolate actually has lots of minerals that are good for you. As long as it is eaten in moderation, this superfood can help with scalp issues like dandruff.
- Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pie are packed with vitamins A, C, as well as iron. The pie filling is actually 1/4 of your daily fiber recommendation. We all love fiber because it slows down the absorption of our body's sugar intake, keeping our blood sugar levels at a healthy level. Just be weary of how much crust and whipped cream you eat along with it.
- Red wine is believed to contain nutrients which might lessen the chance for heart disease. The darker the wine, the more antioxidants it contains, which in turn can slow down the aging process. This is because of the fermenting process that involves a grape's skin and seeds. Cheers to that!
