Why You Should Consider a Sugar Detox

As much as we wish we could ignore it, the scientific case for eating less sugar is a strong one. A recent article in The New York Times cited an April 2019 study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association. It looked at the causes of death among 37,716 men and 80,647 women initially free of heart disease who were followed for 28 and 34 years, respectively. Cardiovascular mortality was 31 percent higher, and the total death rate 28 percent higher, among those who consumed two or more sugar-sweetened drinks a day when compared with people who rarely (if ever) drank them. Excessive sugar consumption has also been linked to weight gain, teeth problems, increased risk of certain medical conditions (like obesity and diabetes) and more.

Besides helping you live longer, there are also benefits that could help you live better:

1. Your energy levels might be more consistent

The sugar rush you get after eating a handful of gummy worms might help you stay productive for a few minutes, but a drop in energy will quickly follow. Instead, stick with natural sources of energy,
like fruits and veggies, which will help your sugar levels stay consistent, so you can finish that spin class and still have enough energy to make dinner.

2. You might get fewer headaches

Eating foods with lots of sugar causes your blood sugar to spike rapidly, then shoot back down again. For some people, this can cause headaches. After cutting out refined sugar, your blood sugar will stay relatively stable all day long.

3. When you eat it again, you’ll really appreciate it

After giving up sugar—even for a week—you’ll look at it in a new light when you eat it again. Instead of scarfing down an entire bag of M&Ms in five seconds, you’ll be more likely to savor every bite. Also, the longer you go without sugar, your taste buds will actually adapt, so you’ll start to taste the natural sweetness in whole foods like fruits and veggies.