The sugar statistics in the United States are depressing. According to reports, the average American consumes 6 cups of sugar weekly. In a year, that equates to 152 pounds of sugar!
What is the source of our sugar addiction? For starters, it’s everywhere. Sugar is difficult to avoid because it is the most commonly used food additive in processed foods. Second, it is incredibly addictive. Whether we realize it or not, most of us are sugar addicts. Stopping sugar consumption is challenging, but it is achievable, and the numerous benefits are! Let’s look at 12 things that happen when you quit consuming sugar.
You’ll improve your brain sharpness.
Do you want to boost your mental productivity and cognition? Give up sweets. You’ll be surprised at how much more concentrated and clear your thinking gets once you do. Your brain health suffers when you’re addicted to sweets and then act on them.
A 2014 study published in Nutritional Neuroscience shows how a high-fructose diet increases insulin resistance in the hippocampus while also aggravating memory problems. Another study published in Molecular Neurobiology discovered a link between sugar consumption and unfavorable changes in the brain’s frontal cortex, which are linked to additional cognitive issues. Stop eating sugar if you want to stay sharp and in the know, especially as you become older. Your mind will lavish you with rewards.
Diabetes risk reduction
Overeating sugar is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. This implies that we have some control over our diabetes risk. The vast majority of us can avoid this deadly disease if we make the courageous decision to stop eating sugar. Sugar raises our chance of developing diabetes since elevated blood sugar levels are a significant factor in diabetes. Sugar consumption causes blood sugar levels to rise. High blood sugar levels can lead to insulin resistance, which harms your liver, pancreas, and other organs over time. While numerous variables contribute to diabetes, sugar is one of the main culprits.
You will shed pounds.
Every time you consume a sugary food, you consume more empty calories, which adds to weight growth. However, more potent forces are at work when we discuss sugar and weight gain.
Sugar consumption disrupts the hormones that are important for maintaining a healthy weight and assist in healthy weight loss. Sugar affects the area of your brain that regulates your hunger.
Overeating sugar tricks your brain into thinking it’s still hungry when there’s no need to. Furthermore, sugar alters the brain, making it addicted to sugar and seeking more and more sugar as time passes. It’s a vicious circle. While everyone’s weight loss path is unique, if you quit consuming sugar, you’ll lose weight far more quickly.
You will feel lighter, brighter, and happier as a result.
Sure, eating your favorite cake or ice cream can make you feel better in the short run, but your mental health will suffer in the long run. Did you know that a high sugar intake has been related to depression?
The underlying chronic inflammation caused by a high-sugar diet harms brain function, which is one of the reasons we turn blue when we consume too many sweets. According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who consumed sugary foods with a high glycemic index were more likely to develop depression. Another study, published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2017, discovered that males who ate more than 67 grams of sugar per day had a higher risk of depression than men who ate less than 40 grams per day. Consider a tiny child after they’ve finished their Halloween or Easter candy. They frequently transform from tiny angels to nefarious devils! Stop consuming sugar if you want to eat to combat the blues, especially if you’
Your skin will be radiant.
Acne, pimples, rashes, and blemishes have been related to a high-sugar diet. According to a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigative Dermatology, eating too many sugary meals increases your risk of acne and other skin disorders. Sugar-free diets rich in nutrient-dense whole foods and enough clean water will make your skin glow with youthful vibrancy.
You will be less prone to illness.
When you consume an excessive amount of sugar, your immune system suffers. However, your immune system can usually work when you quit eating sugar.
Chronic inflammation caused by excessive sugar consumption weakens your immune system, leaving you more prone to colds and flus all year. When you stop consuming sugar, you will probably notice that you are healthier and less prone to developing a cold or flu bug.
One of the reasons for this is due to your white blood cells. These cells are 50% less able to fight off dangerous bacteria for up to 5 hours after eating a lot of sugar.
You’ll live longer.
Looking for the Fountain of Youth? Give up sweets. This is especially true in terms of your appearance. Consume a nutrient-dense diet if you wish to seem younger than your age. Sugar consumption causes your skin to wrinkle faster. Glycation is the mechanism by which sugar inhibits collagen and elastin formation in your skin.
Another element contributing to premature aging is inflammation, and sugar significantly contributes to chronic inflammation. Reduce inflammation and sugar consumption, and you may discover that the fountain of youth is not fiction.
Your breath will be better.
Have you ever had a partner remark about your terrible breath? Perhaps you’ve even become aware of your terrible breath on occasion. If so, you should avoid sugar. Sugar feeds the bacteria that produce bad breath in your mouth. When you think about it, your sweet tooth isn’t so sweet anymore, especially for your honey. Reduce sugar consumption if you want more kisses and better love life!
You will have better teeth.
According to a 2013 study published in International Scholarly Research Notices: Dentistry, sugar is connected to cavities and tooth decay. Try avoiding sweets to protect your teeth and avoid more significant problems like root canals. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice every day. Your teeth will thank you.
Stop consuming sugar, and you’ll drastically reduce your chance of heart disease. Too much sugar in your diet raises your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, three major risk factors for heart disease and cardiovascular decline.
Your love life will improve.
Sugar is terrible for your sex life. When you reduce sugar intake, your libido improves, as does your body’s capacity to prepare for sex. Sugar disturbs the sexual hormonal balance in women.
Sugar can cause erectile dysfunction and poor libido in males due to the insulin rise after eating sugar. Make this one of your motivators for eliminating sugar from your diet. You’ll probably have more and better sex!
You’ll get more sleep.
Sugar interferes with your sleep, especially if you eat junk food before bedtime. Overeating sugar at this time of year can even trigger night sweats. When you quit consuming sugar, your hormones, especially those essential for good, restorative sleep, function better.
Stress hormones frequently cause poor-quality sleep. Remember this the next time you reach for your favorite late-night snack. If it contains a lot of sugar, it will most likely raise your stress hormones and reduce your chances of getting enough rest. Try giving up sweets for two weeks to see how you feel and look better.
When you witness the excellent effects of short-term improvements, you’ll be driven to make the long-term changes required for true transformation. Recognize that quitting sugar is a difficult task. It will not be simple to give up sweets. But the effort will be worthwhile.