For the longest time, we have heard that sugar is harmful for the body, and quitting sugar is the roadmap to good health. But what is the science and truth behind this? Recently actor and comic Sumukhi Suresh took a challenge to quit sugar for 14 days, and documented her journey on her Instagram. Even though she had sugar cravings throughout the day, at the end of the challenge, she said, “I can taste things.”
“Sugar is like your ex. When you are busy, you say, you are done. But after 10 pm, you would want to call your ex. That’s when the sugar cravings kick in,” Sumukhi said in her video.
After the challenge was over, she confessed, “I wake up on time. I exercise much better. It’s no longer sugar cravings. It’s just that I am free from sugar wants.”
Check out her video here:
What happens to your body when you quit sugar
Before we go ahead, it is important to understand the difference between natural sugar and added or artificial sugar. Naturally occurring sugar is something that’s found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. These food items are naturally occurring, so they are packed with antioxidants and nutrition that is essential for your overall health.
Added sugar, on the other hand, is anything that is not naturally occurring, including refined sugar. They are referred to as empty calories as they have no nutritional value other than simple carbohydrates. Baked items, candies, ketchup, soda, fizzy drinks – these are some examples of artificial sugar.
According to an article by Health.com, when you cut out artificial sugar from your diet, this is what happens:
Aids in weight loss
Overconsumption of added sugar leads to weight gain over a period of time, as they only add to your calorie count for the day. When you cut out sugar from your diet, it helps you regulate your calorie consumption, thus helping you manage your weight.
Lowers risk of heart disease
Several research studies have shown that consuming sugar leads to lowering of good cholesterol and increase in a fat called triglycerides. These conditions lead to high risk for heart disease. Thus, cutting out sugar leads to lower risk of heart diseases.
Makes you consume more nutrient-rich foods
When you replace sugar with healthier alternatives, you are more likely to consume more nutrient-rich foods. Like, if you swap your energy bar, which is loaded with sugar, with a handful of fruits, you are adding more nutrition to your system.
