Sugar + Your Skin... The results are not pretty!

Most of us know that sugar is not great for the waistline, but did you know it could also be a suspect behind your complexion concerns? Wait, let’s go back a step.

Talking snack.

Did you know that the maximum recommended  amount of sugar to be consumed in one day is 25 grams?

25 GRAMS!  

This is scary, considering many convenient snacks on the market contain a large portion of that in just one serving.  Lots of these snacks may even have enticing wrappers with claims they are “healthy” or contain ingredients derived from a “natural sugar source”.  But sugar is sugar, honey! (See what we did there?)

As we write this we are looking at two well known brands of bars, both of which profess to be a “healthy” or “natural” snack. The first contains 11 grams of sugar, the second 20g!  That’s almost your entire daily intake in one measly unsatisfying snack, sweetness!  Flip the package of your favorite snack and take a look at the sugar content... we dare you!

Some inflammatory comments.

Consuming too many acidic foods can cause inflammation in the body. And although there are many foods that are highly acidic, sugar is one of the worst. Why? Sugar causes a steep rise in blood sugar levels that then plummets, wreaking havoc on the body and causing inflammation. In turn, inflammation in the body affects our largest and most noticeable organ: the skin.  This inflammation might show up on our skin in a number of different ways.

Well this is kinda irritating.

First, it might show up by way of breakouts and redness and/or irritation.  Eeeek!  If you happen to be someone who suffers from redness, rashes or eczema, sugar might not be helping your irritating skin sitch. Rashes can also be a sign of a yeast imbalance, a condition that is directly linked to sugar-inducing inflammation in the body.

Aaaaaand it can also be irritating in another way.  The inflammation can also create internal stress and release free radicals. What does this do?  Well, it can make you shaky, hungry and moody.

Combat irritation in your skin (and your mood, sweetie) by:

• consuming wholesome, beautifying REAL foods;
• consuming food high in anti-oxidants (such as vit A, C) which can fight off free radicals; and
• consuming foods that contain healthy fats, fibre and protein to help prevent blood sugar imbalances and free radical damage!

 

Tired and thirsty?

Next.  Are you suffering from dehydrated, dull, lacklustre skin? Sugar quite literally sucks the water out of your cells! This is what causes dryness, puffiness and those under eye circles we all hate!  Multiple camera filters anyone?  Is that a thing?

Combat dehydration and a tired appearance by:

• consuming natural, healthy foods with a low sugar content; and
• drinking plenty of water to restore moisture in your skin cells!

 

Out with the old.

Last but not least, the inflammatory properties of sugar can not only lead to   dehydration, irritation, moodiness and breakouts, but also to wrinkles. Arghhhh!  Basically, we all have healthy collagen in our skin that helps to keep it supple and wrinkle free. Inflammation caused by sugar attacks collagen on a cellular level, which can lead to wrinkly, dull and dehydrated skin. When the collagen levels in your skin are depleted through factors such as consuming a high sugar diet and alcohol or suffering stress and sleep deprivation, wrinkles form.  

Combat wrinkles by:

• consuming natural, healthy foods with a low sugar content; and
• limiting stress and sleep deprivation with healthy habits like meditation, mindfulness and yoga.

 

In with the glow!

Soooooo in order to keep our skin looking it’s healthy, youthful, glowful best, avoid or limit refined sugars and added sugars such as: sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose dextrose, lactose, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, honey, evaporated cane juice, fruit juice concentrates, cane crystals and corn sweetener. Instead, opt for natural, wholesome, low GI sweeteners such as yacon syrup (derived from a root vegetable), which contains many other health benefits. You never know when you might have to be camera ready! #selfie

When you gotta be on-the-glow

Obviously we can’t ALWAYS avoid these sugar-fuelled, collagen slaying culprits, but we have good news!  Collagen levels can be boosted.  Yay!!!

We suggest supplementing your collagen levels with foods that cause collagen synthesis, which is the production of new collagen in the skin. Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen (AKA your skin’s new BFF), can be found in full doses in all Kalumi products and can help restore plump, supple skin.

We understand that it is hard to always make healthy decisions when you are constantly on-the-go, that’s why we always carry Kalumi BEAUTYfood with us!  It is the perfect, low glycemic and veggie-based sweetened snack for glowing, gorgeous skin!

 

XO, Kalumi