10 Signs You Are Eating Too Much Sugar

7. Skin Problems

Skin problems is an umbrella term for a variety of different issues, caused by a variety of different things. Common skin problems are redness, itchy and dry skin (dermatitis), acne, cold sores, tinea, warts, hives, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Some of these conditions, like dermatitis and tinea, can be successfully treated by over-the-counter creams and medications, while other skin conditions, like psoriasis, are unable to be cured and can only be managed instead.

Depending on the condition, things like environmental factors, stress, hormonal changes, genes, lifestyle choices, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and cosmetics can wreak havoc on your skin. Eating an imbalanced, nutritionally poor diet is a significant factor when dealing with skin problems, as it can cause inflammation, oxidative stress and collagen damage.

A diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, plus eating foods that are too high in fats and sugars, is the quickest way to a cloudy complexion. Foods like white bread, soda and other things that contain refined sugar, stimulate a rapid increase in insulin levels, leading to a flare-up of inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation causes sagging skin, wrinkles and other premature signs of aging, and exacerbates conditions like acne and rosacea.

To take better care of your skin, remove all white bread, fried food, ice cream, pizza, packaged snacks, fruit juice and anything containing excess or added sugars from your diet. Focus on eating complex carbohydrates like fibrous vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains and brown rice, and include a lot of healthy fats like avocado, lean protein like salmon and other fish and fruits that contain antioxidants like blueberries and cranberries.