This ONE change can reap HUGE benefits.
When someone asks me what one habit they should change to truly slow down the aging process, this is it. It’s reduce the amount of sugar you eat or drink.
You see, sugar ages us in two major ways. The first is glycation. Glycation occurs when sugar bonds to the collagen fibers in your skin, hair, bones, and internal organs and deforms them. These collagen – sugar hybrids are called Advanced Glycation End Products, or AGE’s (appropriate name, right?). AGE’s age us prematurely inside and out.
The second way sugar ages us is by creating chronic inflammation. Every time you ingest a sugary food or drink, glucose enters your bloodstream and your body reacts by releasing insulin. Insulin causes the sugar to exit the bloodstream and enter your cells. This is a normal process that isn’t technically aging you.
However, when you ingest sugar all the time, such as drinking sugary drinks throughout the day, this can cause chronic insulin spikes, too many of them. These chronic insulin spikes can lead to chronic inflammation.
So, what is the simplest way to reduce the sugar you eat and prevent premature aging? Drink less sugary drinks.
The average American drinks 8-9 cans of soda pop every week. Approximately half the population drinks soda pop every day. These drinks are sugar bombs to your bloodstream and will 100% cause you to have more wrinkles, thinner skin, and more inflammation.
Now, I know how hard it is to reduce the amount of sugary drinks you ingest. These drinks are addictive! But the good news is you don’t have to go cold turkey. Small steps can make a big difference long term.
So, if you drink two cans of soda pop per day, start by decreasing it to one. Eventually try to reduce your consumption enough so that it’s just an occasional treat.
What other simple things can you do to slow down aging? On my latest podcast I’m joined by fellow plastic surgeon and longevity doctor Dr. Pablo Prichard to discuss actionable steps you can take TODAY to turn back the clock. It’s called How to Be Forever Young – What to Eat, Apply To Your Skin, and Treatments. In it we reveal:
- The ideal diet for optimal longevity
- What supplements to take to live longer
- The steps of an anti-aging skin care routine
- What treatments to consider for younger skin
- And a lot more!
To listen on Apple devices, click HERE. To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
