4 signs of aging skin linked to high sugar intake

Foods rich in sugar may help boost energy levels for a short period, however, excessive sugar intake has adverse effects on health. One of the key consequences of having a lot of sugary foods and beverages is diabetes, which affects various parts of the body, like the heart, kidneys, and skin. Further, this can interfere with the natural aging process of the skin. So, here are a few signs of aging associated with sugar intake:

Yellow, red, or brown patches
One with high blood sugar may experience issues such as small raised bumps on the skin that look like pimples. Eventually, these turn into patches of swollen and hard skin, taking on a yellowish, reddish, or brown color. Other signs include itchy and painful skin, visible blood vessels, and a shiny appearance of the surrounding skin.

Hard, thick skin
Another common sign of aging brought on by excessive sugar intake is hard, thickened skin on the fingers, toes, or both, known as digital sclerosis. One may notice waxy skin on the back of their hands and find it difficult to move the fingers. This sign may also spread to the forearms and upper arms, back, shoulders, and neck.

Blisters
Excessive sugar intake may lead to the development of blisters on the skin. Although a rare symptom, large blisters or clusters can be observed when dealing with diabetes. The blisters form on the hands, legs, feet, and forearms and may look like the result of a severe burn.

Collagen and elastin damage
High sugar intake may hamper the function of the building blocks of the skin—elastin and collagen. These proteins help keep skin firm and elastic. Further, without both proteins, one may notice premature signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, and sagging.

Additionally, excessive sugar intake can cause digestive issues like constipation, as sugar-rich foods do not have adequate fiber and fluids to ease digestion and bowel movements. So, due to constipation, harmful substances might get reabsorbed into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and causing skin issues like acne and skin breakouts.