The sugar in your soda may be bad for your skin
For every 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola you drink, you consume 39 grams of sugar. That’s roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar, and 80 percent more than the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommended daily intake.
Many are aware that drinking too much soda can have serious consequences on your health, increasing risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. But did you know that it could also be the cause of your countless trips to the derma?
The consumption of too much sugar has been linked to inflammation, acne breakouts, increased wrinkles, dehydration, and dull skin. While sugary soda may not be the leading cause of such skin issues, it is definitely a factor worth considering.
Understanding sugar: The basics
It’s important to distinguish the different kinds of sugar, because not all types of sugar are inherently bad for you. Essentially, there are two types of sugar, naturally occurring sugars and added sugars. Naturally occurring sugars are those that are already present in the structures of certain foods, like fruit and dairy products. Added sugars on the other hand, are the ones that are introduced into the food or beverage during the processing or preparation of the meal.
Naturally occurring sugars are actually a good source of energy and can help regulate your blood sugar levels. Though it is still advised to be cautious of your natural sugar intake, it is added sugars that are more likely to contribute to the detriment of your health.
The AHA recommends that men consume up to nine teaspoons per day to fulfill a healthy diet, while women are advised to not exceed the daily intake of six teaspoons of added sugar, which amounts to about 25 grams. Parents have to be even more vigilant in regards to their children’s sugar intake, as the AHA advises that children from the ages of two to 18 must consume less than six teaspoons per day.
Drinking just one can of Coca-Cola will already have been way past your daily limit.
How sugar affects your skin
It’s important to note that everybody reacts differently to varying elements. The best way to determine what causes acne breakouts or any other skin condition is to consult with your dermatologist, but there are many ways to be proactive about your health at home. Monitoring your sugar intake is one of them.
As we know, the sugar content of carbonated drinks is outrageously high. Too much sugar can result in a spike in insulin levels, which may impact sebum production and cause increased inflammation. This, of course, directly affects acne because too much sebum may clog hair follicles with dead skin cells. When this happens, bacteria can fester, particularly Propionibacterium, which is inherent to the skin. This bacteria may feed on the sebum and lead to the development of pimples.
Aside from that, inflammation caused by excessive sugar intake can also exacerbate existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. The inflammation on the body may not only worsen current dermatological issues, but may even lead to the development of new ones.
If increased inflammation is not enough to deter you from consuming too much sugar, then perhaps premature aging is. When you drink too much soda, your body may go through a process called glycation. Glycation is a chemical process responsible for wrinkles and loose skin. Though it’s part of the natural process of aging, glycation can be accelerated due to high blood sugar levels.
As a result of glycation, advanced glycation end products are created. This happens when the chemical process influences collagen and elastin fibers, the protein responsible for keeping your skin youthful and firm. When your skin undergoes this process, you may notice an increase in wrinkles or sagginess.
Even diet soda is bad for you
Robert Love, a neuroscientist specializing in helping people prevent Alzheimer’s disease, explained that even diet soda can negatively affect your skin. In a TikTok he posted to his 2.6 million followers, he stated that the artificial sweeteners can “impair your gut bacteria.” “When you impair your gut bacteria, that can increase inflammation as well,” he said.
Diet soda also contains the same ingredients that make regular soda unhealthy, such as caffeine and other diuretic ingredients. These components can dehydrate the skin, which can lead to a dull, flaky appearance. Love suggests that healthier alternatives include organic coffee or organic matcha. Of course, the best thing you can do for your skin is to opt for water instead.
