Sad news for those of us with a sweet tooth – sugar actually accelerates the aging process. There is one glimmer of hope in this news. The natural sugar found in fresh fruit does not contribute to aging. The sugar that’s bad for you is the added sugars found in many of the things we eat. Generally, it’s anything in the ingredients list that ends in “ose” – like “sucrose” and “fructose.”
Studies have found that diets rich in these added sugars not only can lead to diabetes, but they also speed up the body’s aging process. Those with a diet low in added sugars may actually find themselves biologically younger than their actual age, while those with a high sugar intake can speed up the aging process as much as seven times its natural rate!
Where can you find some of these “added sugars?” Glad you asked:
- Condiments – Such as Ketchup or salad dressing
- Nut Butters – Peanut butter and others (sorry, Nutella fans)
- Flavored Yogurt – Especially low-fat yogurt
- Prepared Grains – Such as granola, instant oatmeal, and breakfast cereals
- Sauces – Like barbecue sauce and pasta sauces
