7 THINGS THAT HAPPENS AFTER WE SAY NO TO SUGAR

Are you addicted to sugar? I have asked myself this question more than once. You are warned about alcohol and drugs as a child, but no one ever warns you about the addictive dangers and health risks of a high-sugar diet. And the word 'addiction' is really not an exaggeration. According to a 2016 study, "increased sugar consumption has been shown to repeatedly increase dopamine levels", similar to drug use.

20 minutes after quitting

Sugar consumption, which is not similar to alcohol consumption, triggers the desire to eat more sugar. But 20 minutes after your first sugar-free meal, you will be more satisfied and less likely to crave a second helping or dessert. This is most likely the result of strengthening willpower, so push on and keep at it, as things may soon get harder.

An hour after you have quit

An hour after you've stopped eating sugar, you should still feel invigorated. You should feel more energetic and productive. You will be less likely to have the urge to reach for a biscuit.

One day after you have quit

Sugar binges limit our desire/potential to consume nutritious foods, including healthy fats, protein and plenty of fibre, which keep us healthy, active and productive. Now that you've gone a whole day without sugar, hopefully you've incorporated a lot of these healthier alternatives into your diet.

Increasing your vegetable and lean protein intake will stabilise your blood sugar levels and moderate your mood swings.

Three days after quitting

This is where the situation starts to change for the worse. After all, sugar is an addiction, and most addictions cannot be given up without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. After a few days you may experience sugar cravings, anxiety, headaches and in more serious cases even depression (due to the aforementioned effects of sugar on dopamine levels). These effects often disappear after the first week, but depending on the level of sugar dependence in your body, they may last for another week or two. As always, it is important to stay hydrated to minimise these effects. In addition, drinking water can help you get rid of sugar cravings.

One week after quitting

One of two things can happen to your body in the week after you stop taking sugar. If your previous lifestyle was dominated by processed foods, juices, lemonades and desserts, you may still be in detox mode. But if your sugar intake was moderate (and if you follow a diet of protein, fibre and healthy fats), you should start to feel very good. You'll be less sleepy, have more stable energy throughout the day and improved mood.

One month after quitting

After one month, you will be completely out of the difficulties. Your craving for dessert will have disappeared and instead you may even feel a strange craving for protein and green leafy vegetables.

One year after quitting

Once you've been committed to a sugar-free life for a whole year, your health is likely to have improved. Your body is now adapted to dealing with essential nutrients and, as it no longer has sugar to store as fat, you may have lost weight.