Eating Causes Wrinkles?!?

It's true! Overtime, eating sugar can actually make skin appear wrinkled and dull. A chemical process takes place in our bodies to cause this wrinkling effect known as glycation. Glycation occurs when sugar in the blood stream attaches to proteins forms molecules referred to quite appropriately as AGE (advanced glycation end-products).

As the AGE molecules accumulate they damage the surrounding proteins. Collagen and elastin are especially vulnerable to this process. AGE molecules breakdown the strongest form of collagen into the weakest form.. This leaves skin less supple and resilient, and more susceptible to wrinkling. Also, the AGE molecules destroy natural antioxidant enzymes in the body leaving skin more vulnerable to sun damage, which further ages the appearance of skin.

The more sugar consumed, the more AGE molecules are formed resulting in more damage to proteins such as collagen and elastin. Visible damage to the skin from this process becomes noticeable around age 35 for most people and continues to worsen thereafter.

Obviously the easiest way to minimize the effects of this process is to avoid eating foods high in sugar, and to definitely always wear sunscreen. Additionally, vitamins B1 and B6 inhibit the formation of AGE molecules, so try getting 1 mg a day of each.