Body Reaction After You Stop Eating Sugar

In modern diet culture, sugar has been cast as the supervillain. We’re told that it’s as addictive as a Class A drug and just as deadly. Although this dramatic narrative oversimplifies the issue, it is undeniable that most people consume excessive amounts of processed foods loaded with refined sugars.

Almost any product that you find on a supermarket shelf has added sugar, even if it’s savory and advertised as “healthy.” From bread to barbecue sauce, it’s simply everywhere.

This means that most of us are probably consuming far more sugar than we even know, so removing it from our diets can have surprisingly drastic effects.

It’s impossible to cut it out completely

We often hear about the need to cut out sugar or trying a “sugar detox.” However, it’s important to remember that there are naturally occurring sugars and added sugars. Removing both kinds of sugars from your diet is almost impossible.

Why does giving up sugar feel so bad?

Source has found that sugar affects the brain’s reward system. This reward system helps humans survive, but it’s also involved in addictive behavior.

Food is a natural reward, and sweet foods and drinks stimulate your brain’s reward system, causing you to eat more food.

According to a 2018 review, the most common foods associated with addictive symptoms are those high in added fats or added sugars.

Natural sugars

Sugar in general has a bad reputation these days, but the type of sugar isn’t usually specified. The truth is that sugars naturally occur in many healthy whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk, and some grains. These are nutritious foods that we’re encouraged to include in our diets on a daily basis.

Of course, all foods should be eaten in moderation as part of a varied and balanced diet. Eating 10 mangoes in a day wouldn’t be a good idea, but, generally, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to these naturally occurring sugars.

Added sugar

Added sugars are the ones we need to be most mindful of. They are sugars and syrups that are added to processed food during manufacturing to preserve them or boost flavor.

The difference between natural and added sugar is that natural sugars come with a host of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that keep you feeling full and energised. Added sugars, on the other hand, are empty calories that cause dramatic sugar spikes.

Candy, soda, and packaged cookies are obvious sources of added sugars. However, they also hide in unexpected places such as savory sauces, yogurt, processed bread, and ‘healthy’ snacks like granola bars. When we talk about cutting sugar out of our diets, we’re usually talking about these refined, added sugars as opposed to the naturally occurring ones.

Withdrawal symptoms

These added sugars are extremely pervasive in the modern diet. When the body suddenly stops getting its quick fix, it can start to experience withdrawal symptoms. This is widely reported by those who have suddenly removed refined sugars from their diet.

This “sugar withdrawal” can lead to physical and mental symptoms. The physical symptoms include exhaustion, headaches, and even gastrointestinal distress.

In the first few days, you’re likely to experience the strongest cravings for high-sugar foods that will give your brain the quick fix it’s used to.

This unpleasant experience can cause feelings of frustration and irritability, just like the early days of giving up smoking. Some may also experience brain fog, sadness, or depression.

Improved energy levels

This withdrawal period usually lasts approximately one week. After that, you should start to feel your energy levels return to normal.

Once you’re over the hump, you can start to enjoy the myriad of ways that reducing your sugar intake improves your health.

Dental health

The bacteria found in the mouth use sugar as their main source of food. The more sugar there is, the more they can grow and cause tooth decay, cavities, and infections. The risks are even higher if you don’t brush and floss properly every day.

Reducing your intake of added sugars, particularly the ones found in drinks, can help to slow or even stop this decay. And, of course, always brush and floss!

Source: BBC