The good news about sugar-damaged skin

I've been hearing all the news about banning soda. Some folks are pretty upset about it. I don't know if an actual "ban" is needed, I'll leave the rule-making up to the rule-makers.
I can tell you this:
Large amounts of sugar, like what's in your soda, are giving you wrinkles and acne.
It's just a fact.

Sugar damages collegen and elastin (the stuff that makes your skin firm, plump and keeps you looking young) through a process called Glycation. The sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form new molecules that damage adjacent proteins. Like a domino effect. Once collegen and elastin are damaged in this fashion they become dry and brittle, causing wrinkles and sagging. Not pretty.

I was told in beauty school that the sugar-acne connection was an old wives tale.
Well call me an old wife (not to my face) because I'm living proof that you are what you eat.
It's also scientifically well-known that one of the symptoms of inflammation in the body is acne. The way acne looks in and of itself lends itself to inflammation...red, swollen, gross....
Ingesting foods that raise your blood sugar quickly (like soda) causes your body to produce too much insulin (to bring your blood sugar back down) and too much insulin will cause inflammation which can appear as acne and lots of other unpleasant health issues like a lot of conditions that end in "itis" or "osis". Also not pretty.

The good news is it's never too late to start turning back the clock on sugar-damaged skin.
Replace your soda with green or herbal tea. If you like it sweet, add some Stevia. Of course there is always water. Add some cucumber and mint or lemon or lime to it if you think it's too boring.
Get more anti-oxidants in your diet. Certain fruits, nuts, and vegetables likes cranberries, walnuts and red peppers to name a few help keep sugar from attaching to collegen....so that's a no-brainer.
oh and of course...don't forget the sunscreen!