High glucose levels ‘can bring about premature ageing’

A new study has discovered a link between blood sugar levels and visible changes to perceived facial age.

The new research, conducted by Leiden University Medical Center and Unilever, has assessed the non-fasted blood sugar levels of more than 600 people aged between 50 and 70, before assigning 60 independent assessors to evaluate their age from photographs.

It was found that those with high non-fasted blood sugar levels were persistently considered to look older than people with lower levels, with each millimole per litre increase associated with a five-month rise in perceived age.

The study also found that diabetics were thought to look older than non-diabetics, with findings remaining consistent even when factoring in other variables affecting facial ageing, such as smoking and sun exposure.

David Gunn, senior scientist at Unilever's research and development laboratories, said: "Although there are known routes through which high glucose could be influencing facial ageing, further research is required for us to identify the true underlying cause."

This comes after a US study earlier this month suggested that high blood pressure may also be linked to an increased colorectal cancer risk among older women.