It’s virtually impossible to completely avoid sugar in today’s world. But we can (and should) regulate the amount of sugar we consume. Here are several easy ways to work toward cutting sugar out of your diet.
Luckily, it’s easy to know when you’re consuming excess sugar. Here are 7 signs you’re indulging too much for your body to handle.
1. Mood Swings
Sugar intake messes with energy levels. Consuming sugar raises blood sugar levels and brings feelings of highness. But when blood sugar levels drop, we start feeling crappy. Then we eat sugar to feel better again, and the vicious cycle continues.
2. Constant Craving for Sugar
Eating sugar increases cravings for sugar and carbs. When you eat a lot of sugar, large amounts of dopamine are released in the brain. Since dopamine makes you feel good, you’ll chase that feeling by eating more sugar.
When you eat a lot of sugar, large amounts of dopamine are released in the brain. Since dopamine makes you feel good, you’ll chase that feeling by eating more sugar. (Korta/Shutterstock)3. Weight Gain
Sugar is high in calories and isn’t filling, so it can easily lead to excess calories. Excess sugar intake can also lead to insulin resistance which has been linked to weight gain.
Note that weight gain and insulin resistance can open doors for diseases like type II diabetes.
4. Brain Fog After Meals
You know the feeling…can’t concentrate or form proper sentences and it feels like all the blood has rushed out of your brain. Brain fog is a sign of low blood sugar. And as I explained earlier, blood sugar levels usually drop a few hours after eating sugar.
5. Skin Problems
Eating too much sugar can put your hormones out of whack and have inflammatory effects on the body which can cause acne, eczema, oiliness, rosacea or dryness.
If you have sensitive skin, the effects of excess sugar can be seen after a few days. Luckily, all the sugar-related skin problems will disappear once you reduce its intake.
6. Less Sensitive Taste Buds
Eating too much sugar will reduce the sensitivity of your taste buds. Once the taste buds get used to sugar, sugary foods won’t feel sweet enough. Therefore, you’ll need to eat more sugar to be satisfied.
Try cutting back on sugar to give food an enhanced flavor profile.
7. Getting Sick Often
Excess sugar intake weakens the immune system. This consequently lowers the body’s ability to deal with illnesses and stress. Before you treat colds and flus with over-the-counter medicines, first cut back on sugar. Here are fruits and veggies that boost the immune system.
This article was originally published on www.care2.com. Read the original here.
