6 Symptoms of Sugar Consumption and Why You Should Consider a Sugar Detox

Americans are addicted to sugar. Not only do we put it in our coffee, indulge in sweet snacks, and drink sugar-rich drinks such as soda, juice, and cocktails, but it also hides in many everyday products. Pasta sauce, yogurt, cereal, and granola bars are packed with added sugars despite being marketed as healthy options.

It’s no wonder we’ve become reliant on sugar to get through the day or when life becomes too stressful. Unfortunately, over-consuming sugar leads to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, which could turn into chronic health issues over time. Here are six symptoms of sugar consumption and why you should consider a sugar detox.

Brain Fog

If you struggle to stay focused at work, often forgetting things, or find yourself confused frequently, you may be experiencing brain fog. This is a common symptom of sugar consumption that is caused by your body’s rapid swing in blood sugar. The peak that comes with a rush of sugar is followed by a sudden and rapid crash, which leads to difficulty concentrating, low energy, and a lack of mental clarity. Chronic brain fog can affect your job performance, relationships, and ability to participate in hobbies and other activities.

Sugar Cravings 

After a blood sugar crash, your body signals a need for sugar, often intensified by a spike in cortisol, a major cause of sugar cravings. This stress hormone triggers cravings for sugary foods, leading to a feeling of “hangry” and a continuous cycle of reaching for quick fixes like candy or cookies.

Processed Foods and Sugar Addiction

Eating sugar-filled processed foods alters your taste buds, making it harder to crack a sugar craving with healthier options. This often leads to choosing less nutritious alternatives like chocolate or ice cream, perpetuating a vicious cycle of sugar addiction.

Stress as a Source of Sugar Cravings

Stress is a significant source of your sugar cravings. Cortisol, released during stress, triggers cravings for sugary foods as a quick energy source. This creates a cycle where stress leads to cravings, sugary foods provide a temporary boost followed by a crash, further increasing stress levels.

We recommend taking part in a sugar detox to help retrain your taste buds so you can curb those sugar cravings for good.

Energy Crashes

Do you ever fall victim to the midday crash while you’re working or studying? That sleepy, sluggish feeling probably keeps you reaching for candy, chocolate, or caffeine to help you get through the rest of the day. These symptoms are indicators of a blood sugar crash.

When you consume carbohydrates or sugary foods, the glucose passes into your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar levels to rise. This prompts your body to release insulin as your cells take up the glucose to convert it into energy. Once this process ends, your blood sugar levels return to normal. This is a natural occurrence that we all experience when we eat, and it protects us from hyperglycemia. However, when your blood sugar levels spike too quickly, your body will release high amounts of insulin, which then causes your blood sugar levels to rapidly decline to below-average levels. This is what we call a blood sugar crash.

Blood sugar crashes can affect your daily life and make it much more difficult to remain alert and productive all day. If you want to feel more energetic throughout your day, consider a sugar detox to get your body back into its normal blood sugar cycle.

Bloating

While the primary job of your large intestine is absorbing water, sugar can hinder this process and will either draw water into the large intestine or prevent the water from being absorbed correctly. This often leads to a feeling of fullness or heaviness in your gut called bloating.

Additionally, when excess sugar can’t be broken down and absorbed, it sits in your bowels to ferment. The fermenting sugar moves slowly through your large intestine and feeds the bad bacteria in your gut. This causes an uncomfortable buildup of gas that can contribute to bloating, as well as cramps and abdominal pain. With a sugar detox, your organs can function without excess sugar buildup.

Stress and Anxiety

The rapid high-low swings that come along with sugar consumption can lead to fatigue and irritability. When this happens day after day, it takes a toll on your body, affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep, and saps your energy. Over time, you’ll likely experience high levels of stress and anxiety that can eventually lead to mood disorders. 

Chronic fatigue caused by blood sugar spikes and crashes further affects your mood by making it more difficult for you to participate in regular activities. You are less likely to exercise, which means you won’t reap the benefits of endorphins, and you have less energy to go for walks and work on hobbies, which are important for stress and anxiety management. At Five Journeys, our physical health treatment also benefits mental health, including engaging in a sugar detox.

Achy Joints

Sugar is a well known cause of inflammation, gut permeability, and autoimmunity. Chronic inflammation may lead to joint pain and discomfort, whether or not you have an autoimmune condition. The most effective way to alleviate joint pain is to do a sugar detox to optimize your blood sugar levels.

A Functional Sugar Detox

At Five Journeys, we offer an online 7-Day Sugar Detox Program to help retrain your tastebuds and finally get rid of your sweet tooth. Find relief from joint pain, anxiety, bloating, brain fog, energy crashes, and sugar cravings once and for all and check FAQs. To schedule a consultation, contact our team at Five Journeys today!