Time to shun sugar for a healthy skin?

Eliminating the sweet stuff is route to youthful complexion. If younger looking skin is on your beauty wish list, then you might want to consider ditching sugar. The substance has hit the headlines countless times, with most experts in agreement it's best avoided. And according to scientists, the sweet stuff is equally ruthless at wreaking havoc on the collagen and elastin in your skin, causing the early onset of wrinkles.

In fact, a study has revealed that people with consistently high blood sugar levels appeared noticeably older than those refraining from sugar.

So why is the sugar such a blight on our complexions? Basically, when you ingest sugar or high-glycemic foods which quickly convert to sugar - whether it's in the form of an apple or a piece of cake - your body breaks down these carbohydrates into glucose, which raises your insulin levels.

Simple carbohydrates, like refined sugar, white bread and fizzy drinks, cause your insulin levels to spike, which leads to a burst of inflammation throughout the body. That inflammation then produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

And that's not all - according to top dermatologists, digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. Aside from increasing the effects of ageing, glycation can also make skin conditions like acne and rosacea worse.

High fructose corn syrup and other liquid sugars may cause the most damage of all - they may produce more collagen-hurting molecules than anything on the dessert menu," warns top skin doctor Nicholas Perricone.

Also look for hidden sugars like barley malt, dextrose, fruit juice concentrate and maltose.

Be sure to check fruit drinks, sodas and all packaged foods for these skin harming-ingredients.

Sipping water instead of sweetened drinks can have an added bonus. Water makes skin cells plump, which naturally hides wrinkles.

The best way to ensure a lovely complexion is eating a balanced diet, full of vitamins A and E and skin-helping nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.