 "Leaving sugar for two weeks can be the best way to reduce weight. Pixabay")
Do you crave something sweet after every meal? How often do you indulge in dessert after dinner to satisfy your sweet tooth? All things sugary come at a price… it affects your body in ways you may not be completely aware of.
Most people, looking to lose weight, have been advised at least once in their weight loss journey to quit sugar. Many experts suggest that eliminating sugar from your diet for even two weeks can be beneficial. But it is not about weight-loss alone.
Here’s why.
Why do you crave something sweet?
Scientists and doctors around the world have studied the effects of sugar on the brain for a long time and have concluded that consuming sugar releases dopamine, a chemical which makes you feel good, as it activates the brain’s reward centre.
By constantly consuming sugar, you train your brain to crave it, as it seeks the pleasure and dopamine rush it provides. This can be the main reason why you always look for candy or chocolate even when you are not hungry. While sugar in itself is an important ingredient that is required by the body, it is the overconsumption of it that causes issues. The American Heart Association states that sugar can be enjoyed in moderation. Its overindulgence is what causes harm to the body, leading to health issues like weight gain, inflammation, higher type 2 diabetes , among others.
What changes take place in your body after leaving sugar?
Quitting sugar for two weeks is a good way to take charge of your body. At the end of the 14 days, you will be able to witness changes.
Firstly, eliminating sugar will reduce puffiness from your face overall, including around the eyes. According to Dr Saurabh Sethi, going without sugar for two weeks will bring your face to its natural shape. “If you cut out sugar for just two weeks, here is what you will notice. Your face will likely shift from looking rounder to a more natural shape,” he said in an Instagram post in February.
Your sleep cycle and sleep quality will improve. According to nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani, cutting sugar means that the body retains more potassium and magnesium, which are important minerals for a healthy sleep cycle. She further spoke that she woke up feeling more energised and ’truly rested'.
Lalwani further stressed that reducing sugar led to less inflammation. She recalled that there were no more muscle cramps after her badminton session and went on to say that her body felt lighter and full of energy. Finally, you will feel like you are losing fat from your body after cutting down on sugar. Lalwani, in a recent Instagram post, termed quitting sugar as a ‘game changer’ since she noticed a reduction in overall body fat as well as liver fat.
What are the alternatives to sugar?
If you feel that cutting sugar means giving up all our sweets, do not sweat. There are plenty of sugar substitutes. You can add soaked figs to sweeten your milkshakes or blend a ripe banana with oatmeal for a sweet treat.
Some studies also suggest alternatives like stevia and Monk Fruit, stated Prevention.com. But there is an ongoing debate about the health impacts of sugar substitutes. According to Prevention.com, some studies point out that these alternatives have benefits, such as not causing sudden blood sugar level spikes. Others argue that these alternatives have a negative impact on the gut microbiome. The jury is still out.
With inputs from agencies