5 Amazing Benefits of Quitting Sugar
Feeling drained? It might be your sugar intake. Cutting back can sharpen your brain, improve gut health, and aid weight loss. Studies show reducing sugar benefits liver health and leads to glowing skin. Even a short break from added sugar can bring noticeable improvements to your overall well-being.
Feeling constantly drained and foggy lately? If you’ve been blaming your busy schedule or lack of sleep, it’s time to look closer at your plate. What you eat plays a crucial role in your health and overall well-being. If you’re a dessert lover, it might be time to think again. Though a sweet treat might feel like a quick fix, it has a long-lasting impact on your health. Added sugar can quietly chip away at your energy, mood, and overall health. If you’re considering cutting back on sugar, here are some surprising benefits you would reap.
Boosts Brain Function
Cutting sugar can make your brain sharper. Too much sugar is linked to cognitive decline. Studies suggest that excessive sugar consumption impairs memory and focus. A recent study found that fatty and sugary diets harm brain function. The good news is that this is reversible. Eating better can improve the health of the hippocampus, helping you navigate your environment better. Avoiding added sugar even for a week or two can bring noticeable benefits to the brain.
Enhances Gut Health
Your taste buds may love sugary treats, but your gut doesn’t. The gut benefits from a sugar-free diet. Added sugars feed harmful gut bacteria, disrupt the microbiome, and cause bloating or digestive issues. Several studies suggest that reducing sugar intake can help the growth of beneficial bacteria, improve digestion, and nutrient absorption. A happy gut can also enhance mood and energy.
Promotes Weight Loss
If you are trying to lose weight, cutting added sugar is a great start. Sugary treats are often loaded with calories and low in nutrients, including protein and fiber. Such a diet can lead to weight gain, which over time results in obesity and other chronic diseases. Cutting out the sources of added sugar will also help you to maintain a healthy weight.
Supports Liver Health
Diets high in sugar, especially high fructose, are linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition caused by fat buildup in the liver. Removing sugar from the diet can significantly benefit your liver. A 2015 study found that a daily sugar-sweetened beverage habit may increase the risk for NAFLD. Removing sugar from the diet, especially foods and beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, can reduce liver fat and improve liver health.
Gives You Glowing Skin
Cutting back on sugar leads to healthier skin. Sugar accelerates skin aging through a process called glycation. Glycation is where sugar molecules damage collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Studies have shown that cutting sugar, even for a month, may lead to visibly smoother skin and fewer acne breakouts. A low-sugar diet also leads to a radiant complexion.
