Sugar has become the supervillain in today’s diet culture. It’s said to be equally lethal and highly addictive as Class A drugs. It is true that processed foods loaded with refined sugars make up an alarmingly large portion of the average person’s diet, even though this attention-grabbing agenda omits much of the details. The majority of products on store shelves have additional sugar, even if they are savory and labeled as “healthy.” It is just everywhere—in barbecue sauce and bread, for example.
Given that the majority of us likely consume far more sugar than we realize, cutting it out of our diets can have very significant consequences.
1. Withdrawal
In today’s diet, additional sugars are incredibly common. The body may exhibit symptoms of withdrawal when it abruptly stops receiving its fix. Many people who abruptly cut out refined sugars from their diet have reported this.
2. Physical Symptoms
This “sugar withdrawal” can lead to physical and mental symptoms. The physical symptoms include exhaustion, headaches, and even gastrointestinal distress.
3. You get cravings.
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.
4. You Start Getting Moody
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.
5. Energy levels improve.
This withdrawal period usually lasts approximately one week. After that, you should start to feel your energy levels return to normal.
6. You end up having healthy teeth and good breath.
Cutting back on added sugars, especially those in beverages, can help to halt or at least slow down this deterioration. Naturally, don’t forget to floss and brush!
Bacteria in the mouth can also create bad breath, and you guessed it—they love an abundance of sugar to feed on. Cutting back on sugar can make a big difference in how fresh your breath is.
7. A Few Wrinkles
This can lead to premature wrinkles, sagging skin, acne, and rosacea. However, reducing sugar in your diet can have the opposite effect! This reduces inflammation and strengthens your elastin and collagen, contributing to a healthier complexion and fewer wrinkles.
