IS problem skin getting you down?
The secret to clearer skin could be as simple as cutting out one food from your diet – and it might also result in a more defined face shape.
Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist who graduated from Harvard University, has revealed one of the best things to do for a better appearance is to “reset” the body by cutting out sugar for two weeks.
Sharing his experience and knowledge with his 485,000 followers on TikTok (@doctorsethimd ), the 42-year-old divulged what’s likely to happen when you make this small diet change.
In the clip, which has racked up 5.9m views and over 160,000 likes, he explains some of the transformations you’ll notice is a change in face shape and less puffy eyes.
“Your face will likely shift from looking rounder to a more natural shape,” the doctor, from California, US, says.
“Any puffiness or fluid retention around your eyes will also reduce.”
He also says a decrease in belly fat will be noticed, as the fat in the liver begins to lessen.
Dr Sethi continues: “Additionally, eliminating sugar leads to a happier gut by restoring a healthy gut microbiome.”
Finally, the diet tweak could leave you with clearer looking skin – while reducing the risk of serious diseases.
He says: “Lastly, if you have acne or red spots, your skin should improve and look clearer.”
Also that cutting out the sweet stuff will “drastically” reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer, claiming these “thrive” off sugar.
Dr Sethi says as a final note that mood will improve, with less signs of irritability, anxiety and anger, and sleep quality will increase.
Other positives are less acid in the mouth, leading to fewer cavities, and lower chances of bloating and gas.
Studies have shown sugar can age your skin and trigger acne and spots.
Experts at Olay explain excess sugar in your bloodstream can cause glycation, which is a natural chemical reaction that happens when sugar levels in the bloodstream spike beyond what our insulin can handle.
Glycation has been shown to affect the part of our skin that keeps it ‘springy’ – the collagen and elastin
And when these two proteins are linked with sugar, they become weaker, leading to signs of ageing – drier skin, less elastic, wrinkles, sagging and a dull appearance.
One study demonstrated how people with diabetes, who have a more difficult time controlling their blood sugar levels, tend to to age faster than those without high blood sugar.
Another study found how sugar can contribute to the development of acne and spots.
Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, which causes a rise in insulin levels.
Elevated insulin can increase oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores, spots and acne.
High sugar intake can also cause inflammation, which can make acne and other skin conditions worse.
The best ways to cut sugar out your diet
TIPS from the NHS offer ways to reduce sugar in foods and drinks.
Reducing sugar in drinks
- Instead of sugary fizzy drinks or sugary squash, go for water, lower-fat milk, or sugar-free, diet or no-added-sugar drinks. While the amount of sugar in whole and lower-fat milk is the same, choosing lower-fat milk reduces your saturated fat intake.
- Even unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies are sugary, so limit the amount you have to no more than 150ml a day.
- If you prefer fizzy drinks, try diluting no-added-sugar squash with sparkling water.
Reducing sugar in food
- Rather than spreading high-sugar jam, marmalade, syrup, chocolate spread or honey on your toast, try a lower-fat spread, reduced-sugar jam or fruit spread, sliced banana or lower-fat cream cheese instead.
- Check nutrition labels to help you pick the foods with less added sugar, or go for the reduced- or lower-sugar version.
- Try reducing the sugar you use in your recipes. It works for most things except jam, meringues and ice cream.
- Choose tins of fruit in juice rather than syrup.
- Choose unsweetened wholegrain breakfast cereals that are not frosted, or coated with chocolate or honey.
- Choose unsweetened cereal and try adding some fruit for sweetness, which will contribute to your 5 A Day. Sliced bananas, dried fruit and berries are all good options.
