Sugar is sometimes hard to avoid. There's also no need to completely banish it from your life, because sometimes it's good for you. Fruit, for example, is full of sugar. But it's also full of antioxidants, fiber, and other important nutrients. So you shouldn't miss this. However, eating a lot of sugar can affect your health. Check out this list of early indications that you're eating too much sugar.
The exact cause of the reaction is unclear, but many people have found a link between their sugar intake and the intensity of the dark circles under their eyes.
Sugar is a solute, meaning it absorbs more water from your body. This can cause a water imbalance and general dehydration – which then shows up on your skin.
There are different types of sugars – some sugars are natural and others are refined. It's the refined ones that are the worst for us. A lot of refined sugars are often used to make products taste good. This makes natural sugars seem less sweet in comparison.
Because it's so energy-dense, sugar can really ramp up your energy systems. Sweets are one of those things you should try to limit after 5pm – if you want to fall asleep.
If you eat sugar and carbs, but don't add protein and fat, you won't feel too great. Your body needs proteins and fats to recharge itself throughout the day; without them you feel sluggish and tired.
A common symptom of low blood sugar is difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly.
It's not just salt that can raise your blood pressure. Research suggests that frequent consumption of added sugars, such as those from soda and other sweetened drinks, can increase your blood pressure over time.
When you eat a lot of sugar, your hormones react immediately. You get a spike of insulin and serotonin, your happy hormone, followed by a massive crash of both. You feel lethargic and your mood collapses, causing you to need more sugar and “emotionally eat” or just feel depressed and horrible until your next meal.
Energy from sugar is processed very quickly. The energy your body doesn't use almost immediately is saved for later. After your blood sugar is down, your ability to stay awake also increases. Add some protein to your lunch or grab a snack with healthy fats.
Being bloated is a natural thing – so don't panic if it happens every now and then. But if you always have some sort of digestive problem, something is up. Sugar could be the culprit. It feeds the bad bacteria in your gut. Give it a break every now and then!
Your gut has a surprising amount of influence on your immune system. When you're sick, it's absolutely crucial to feed your gut with nutritious food and plenty of water to help the good bacteria. The bad bacteria thrive on refined sugar – so if you eat a lot of it, the bacteria can ruin your immune response.
Sugar is one of the most common acne-causing foods. It doesn't happen to everyone and everyone's reaction to sugary foods is different. But one study linked refined sugar intake to an increased risk of acne.
It's hard to deny this - you know from your dentist that you should eat less sugar to prevent cavities. Constantly getting cavities is a clear signal that you are eating too much sugar.
A cookie every now and then won't age you. But eating them throughout the day could do some damage to your skin's proteins. As they break, so does your face, causing your skin to sag and wrinkle.
Sugar, like salt, causes feelings of dehydration. Because of the excess sugar swimming in your bloodstream, your body needs more water to balance. This causes thirst.
