Did you know that the average American consumes one hundred and fifty-six pounds each year on a per capita basis, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Imagine it: 31 five-pound bags for each of us.

That’s not to say that we get most of the sugar in our diets directly from the sugar bowl. Only about 29 pounds of it comes as traditional sugar, or sucrose, according to The Sugar Association, a trade group of sugar manufacturers. The rest comes from foods.

We all know that sugar thickens our mid-section – especially during menopause – but did you know that piece of cake also gives you wrinkles? During menopause the things we do to our body, that maybe our body could have bounced back from a little easier before, have a much more profound effect now.

In his book, 10 Minutes/10 Years: Your Definitive Guide To A Beautiful And Youthful Appearance, dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt explains why sugar is enemy Number One. “In a nutshell, sugar hastens the degradation of elastin and collagen, both key skin proteins. In other words, it actively ages you,” says Dr Brandt, who counts Madonna, Rupert Everett, Cher and Ellen Barkin among his clients.

So what happens when you eat that cake, cookie, etc. – well it immediately hits your bloodstream and triggers something called glycation. The glycation process causes damage to the collagen and elastin in your skin. When this happens your skin can’t snap back the way it should so those frown or smile lines just stay there!

Without sugar in the diet skin will look younger!

Dr. Brandt highly recommends a full-out 30-day sugar cleanse. I could list all the things not to eat during this cleanse but maybe the easiest is to say what you can eat – all types of protein, such as chicken, fish and shellfish; non-roasted nuts and seeds; non-gluten grains such as millet and spelt; nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli; and gluten-free bread and cereals. Really, you just have to cut out any food or drinks that contain sugar, including hidden ones, such as those in alcohol.

So instead of rewarding yourself with sweets, try rewarding yourself with younger looking skin and a longer, healthier life!

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