This Common Food May Be Adding Years To Your Face

Most of us hope to age like a fine wine — just getting better with time. And we definitely take notice when someone has beautiful glowing skin. However, when we're kids we don't really think of the some of the damaging things we're doing to our skin or even consider establishing a regular skincare routine. By now, we all know that too much sun exposure isn't good for us, but what we're eating can also have just as big of an impact on our appearance. As we get older our skin changes and what we eat can be just as important as what we put on our skin. So what food should you avoid if you want radiant looking skin? 

Board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Donna Hart, told Insider that if you're worried about aging skin you should avoid eating too much sugar. She explains that foods loaded with sugar can cause glycation, which is a breaking down of collagen fibers. "Aging skin has the most changes in the dermis, where collagen and elastin fibers reside, and with glycation, sugars basically bind with collagen to form something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs)," Hart said. That binding causes collagen to become stiff and brittle, which is definitely not ideal if you want a youthful complexion.

A little bit of sugar isn't terrible for you. Dr. Tanuj Nakra, double board-certified ophthalmologist and co-founder of AVYA Skincare, told InStyle that sugar isn't a huge issue if you generally eat a well-balanced diet. "An occasional sweet treat can be a reasonable indulgence," Nakura explained. "Truly rare doses of sugar won't cause breakouts or wrinkles."

Dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman, agreed telling Insider that you don't have to completely banish all sugar from your diet to get dewy looking skin. "There is a difference between added sugars and the sugars that are naturally found in foods such as fruits and vegetables," she explained. Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients and nutritious value — Jaliman said it's the processed sugar and simple carbohydrates you want to steer clear of. 

If you're seeking a brighter complexion, but still need your sugar fix, Nakra recommends reaching for an apple instead of that sugary treat. "Natural sugars found in plants and vegetables are absorbed much more slowly when consumed in the whole food form, because these sugars are generally complex carbohydrates and coexist with natural fiber," he said. Raisins and dates can also help to satisfy your sweet tooth and will help to give you that gorgeous glow.