How Does Excess Sugar Affect the Body?
Due to the effects refined sugar has on our brains, there is a greater chance of becoming overweight or obese if it’s consumed on a regular basis. It can override the feelings of fullness and satiety because sugar is filled with empty calories and lacks important food components such as vitamins, minerals, fibre, quality fats and protein which help us to feel satisfied (and nourished).
Some of the other negative health effects excess sugar consumption has on our bodies include:
- Insulin resistance
- Increased gut permeability
- Low-grade inflammation
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Oxidative stress
- Hypoglycaemia
- Tooth decay
- Suppressed immune system
- Vitamin and mineral depletion
- Increased risk of developing cancer
- Increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
- As well as increased risk of developing other diseases like liver and inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and mental decline.
But the good news is that you can prevent and even reverse much of the harm done by sugar immediately, simply by cutting refined and added sugars out of your diet.
If giving up your sugar habit seems daunting, I’ll be totally honest with you – it can be hard.
Sugar is addictive and can trigger withdrawal (detox) symptoms in some people if it’s stopped cold turkey. Your moods may change, and some people experience anxiety, anger, headaches and fatigue.
Even some artificial sweeteners can cause these effects of withdrawal, so it’s best not to use them as a way to reduce sugar intake. I recommend you see a professional health practitioner or nutritionist for guidance/support if you are struggling (even with the idea) to eliminate sugar.
If you need a little more motivation to give up the addictive white stuff, then please read on.
What Happens To Your Body When You Cut Sugar Out of Your Diet?
Better Gut Health
There are many ways that sugar can negatively impact digestion. When there is too much sugar in your body for your bloodstream to absorb, the excess sugar makes its way through your digestive system. The bacteria in the bowels feast on the sugars, producing gasses. This can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and/or flatulence. It’s also possible that too much sugar can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, parasites, SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and candida in the digestive system.
- Parasites feed off of the sugar we consume. Sugar cravings can be a sign you have intestinal parasites as they send you signals to you to eat more sugar so they can grow bigger and stronger.
- Candida uses the energy from sugar to build up their cell walls making it stronger and allowing it to grow quicker and spread throughout the body.
- Sugars found in fruit and sweeteners can feed certain bacteria that are responsible for SIBO and can worsen SIBO symptoms.
- Gut Dysbiosis – simple sugars can cause a disruption in our gut flora and actually increase the bad bacteria which can eventually outweigh the beneficial bacteria and can then cause many different health issues.
- Leaky Gut can be caused by any of the above, so it goes without saying that reducing your sugar intake is the best place to start for all of these types of gut issues.
Weight Loss
When you eat sugar, insulin production increases. Insulin in turn prohibits the body from using fat as fuel while converting sugar to fat.
Better Skin
Sugar has a dehydrating and premature aging effect on our skin. It can also cause more oiliness, breakouts or acne, as well as dark circles under the eyes.
Other Health Benefits Include:
- Better energy levels
- Decreased sugar cravings and hunger
- Lowered diabetes risk and heart disease
- Improved memory and a clearer mind
- Can prevent fatty liver disease
- Improved hormones
- Improved oral health
- Improved blood sugar levels