Skin, inflammation, and blood glucose do not seem to have an obvious connection. However, they are closely related because blood sugar affects inflammation, which in turn can affect the appearance of the skin.

It may surprise you, but did you know that the skin is the largest organ in the body?

The outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis, is constantly changing and replacing dead or damaged cells.
This layer is essential for the human body as it protects it from various factors such as bacteria and chemicals. So, it is fair to say that healthy skin is very important.

Many lifestyle and dietary factors affect skin health and impact the risk of certain skin diseases.
An unhealthy diet can promote inflammation and flare-ups of certain skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne or psoriasis. Even though these diseases are clinically very different, they have a chronic inflammatory background. So let us first cover some of the basics of inflammation.

Although it causes unpleasant side effects, inflammation is actually a good and healthy response by our immune system to a foreign invader. Inflammation becomes harmful when it persists and begins to damage healthy cells, creating a pro-inflammatory condition.
In this context, proper nutrition can suppress the inflammatory response and reduce inflammation.

The key is to eat a variety of anti-inflammatory foods rather than focusing on one or two specific foods or nutrients. Ideally, your diet should include a combination of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, legumes, red wine, and fish and olive oil.
The modern Western diet, characterized by high levels of processed foods rich in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and added sugars, has been shown to be pro-inflammatory. You do not want that.

Recently, elevated blood sugar has been shown to contribute to inflammation. The mechanism is complex, but simply put, high blood sugar can lead to the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that lack an electron. To stabilize their own structures, they “steal” an electron from neighboring molecules, which then damages surrounding tissues, such as the skin, and leads to chronic inflammation.

Monitoring your blood sugar levels can improve your skin health. By using it as a real-time tool to adjust your lifestyle you can reduce inflammatory processes and feel better every day.