Sugar… not so sweet for skin
Sugar…that sweet, delicious ingredient that makes EVERYTHING taste good, is not so “sweet” for our skin… or hormones.
You see, there are two major known causes to acne: inflammation and hormones.
Unfortunately sugar affects both.
Sugar, inflammation, and acne
Studies continue to show that sugar increases inflammation in the body as quickly as you can say 'chronic disease’.
Inflammation is not always bad. In fact it’s necessary for repairing tissues, fighting infection and eliminating toxins.
It DOES however become a problem when it is chronic.
Out-of-control inflammation spreads like wildfire and becomes extremely disruptive to bodily functions. Interestingly enough, researchers have shown us that those with acne have significantly higher levels of inflammation in the body, indicating that the inflammation is chronic and extremely disruptive.
To add, inflammation depletes us from the beautiful antioxidants that help fight off free radicals, infection and disease, leaving our bodies and our skin more susceptible to infection, illness and acne. Yikes!
Ever notice certain foods cause you to break out? Or that indulging in an incredible meal pairs with a bloated tummy and tender new breakouts within 48 hours? You can thank inflammation for that. Inflammation in the gut is the reason this could be happening.
The hormonal link between sugar and acne
When we eat sugar, our blood sugar levels spike. Our pancreas then works to release insulin in order to bring our blood sugar levels back down.
Here’s the kicker: when insulin is released, it triggers the production of androgen hormones (like testosterone), which triggers excess sebum (oil) production in the skin and increases pore size.
Even worse, when we eat too much sugar too often (don’t forget sugar is in just about every packaged food), our cells become tired and lazy and less sensitive to insulin.
This means the pancreas has to pump out more insulin than normal to bring blood sugar down, creating a vicious circle of inflammation, androgen hormones, sebum excess, and a weakened immune system….the perfect recipe for kickass breakout.
To sum this up:
Sugar = inflammation = ACNE
Sugar = increased insulin = increased androgens = increased sebum = ACNE
Is sugar the only cause of inflammation & androgen hormones? Heck no! …but it’s a damn good place to start.
Bottom line: Eat less sugar. You’re sweet enough already! 😉
Resources:
Aeberli, Isabelle, Phillip A. Gerber, Michel Hochuli, Sibylle Kohler, Sarah R. Haile, Loanna Gouni-Berthold, Heiner K. Berthold, Giatgen A. Spinas, and Kaspar Berneis. “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Low to Moderate Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption Impairs Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Promotes Inflammation in Healthy Young Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Society for Nutrition, 15 June 2011. Web. 7 Aug. 2016.
Bowe, Whitney P., MD, Nayan Patel, BS, and Alan C. Logan, MD. “Acne Vulgaris: The Role of Oxidative Stress and the Potential Therapeutic Value of Local and Systemic Antioxidants.” JDDonline. J Drugs Dermatol, 1 June 2012. Web. 7 Aug. 2016.
