What role does sugar play in skin aging? Dr. Jennifer Holman shared her expertise with HuffPost in an article exploring glycation, a process that can affect skin’s collagen and elasticity.
You probably know that eating too much sugar can impact your health in a variety of ways, including increasing your risk for diabetes, obesity and heart disease. But you may not realize that high-sugar diets can also affect your skin by promoting a process known as glycation.
Often referred to as the “sugar sag,” skin glycation is “a totally natural process where excess sugars bind to the proteins in your skin, specifically collagen and elastin,” Dr. Jennifer Holman, a dermatologist with U.S. Dermatology Partners Tyler in Texas, told HuffPost. This can lead to wrinkles, sagginess and other signs of aging.
While a lifelong higher sugar consumption plays a role in glycation, Holman said it’s not the only factor.
The effects of glycation can be skin dullness, wrinkles, and a thick or yellow appearance, Holman said.
It can also affect the elasticity of blood vessels, which could potentially lead to plaque buildup and high blood pressure.
Diets consistently high in added sugars and refined carbohydrates contribute to glycation because they elevate blood sugar levels, adding that people with diabetes may accumulate AGEs more rapidly.
However, diet is only one factor that can speed up glycation, Holman said.
Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, pollution and smoking can also damage collagen, elastin and DNA in the skin, she added. Genetics, overall health and chronic inflammation play a role, too.
