Does My Blood Sugar Make Me Look Old?

I'm not joking. In fact, a recent study investigated the association between perceived age and glucose metabolism.

Photographs of 602 individuals (569 non-diabetic, 33 diabetic) were taken. They were shown to 60 random people who were asked to estimate the age of the person in the photograph.

What did they find?

On average, diabetic persons were estimated to be almost 2 years older than they actually were. Among non-diabetic persons, those with higher blood sugar were perceived to be seven months older than their true age.

After crunching the numbers researchers concluded that with every 1 mmol/L increase in glucose estimated age increased by 4.8 months.

We know that high blood glucose can wreak havoc on the inner workings of our body but the effects don’t stop there. Our outward appearance is a reflection of what is going on on the inside.

Think you can hide your bad habits?

Think again.

Reference: Noordam R. High serum glucose levels are associated with a higher perceived age. Age. 2013 Feb;35(1):189-95.

Dr Paul Cribb is an award-winning scientist, author, and the creator of mp-body.com – the first ever science-based, research-proven, nationally accredited body transformation program. Learn more here