Overview:
Sugar detoxes and Sugar Addiction: Although it is not usually thought of as serious as other addictions can lead to serious health issues if the corrective actions aren’t implemented.
The Sugar detoxes are when you cut added sugar for a period of time, either 7, 21, or 30 days.
What is a sugar detox?
A sugar detox is an abstinence from eating sugar, particularly added sugar for at minimum one week and as long as 30 days to cut down on sugar consumption and curb cravings for sugar, and improve your overall health.
There aren’t any hard or quick guidelines when it comes to sugar detoxes. But your primary goal should be eliminating sugars that are added to your diet.
That is, paying attention to nutrition information and staying away from sugary drinks as well as many desserts, processed foods as well as some condiments, like ketchup that can contain up to 4 grams of sugar in a tablespoon.
“There’s an increasing amount of new research showing that excessive sugar could cause heart disease and inflammation and cancer, says Lisa Young, RDN, an adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University.
So although you might not be able to see the benefits from reducing sugar in the near future in the long run it’s an enormous benefit for overall health.
Indeed, a 2017 study found that an estimate that if Americans reduced their sugar consumption by 20% over 20 years, around 20 fewer people per 100,000 would be diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes 10 fewer people per 100,000 will be diagnosed with heart disease.
The effects grew as added sugar was reduced.
Some people consider detoxes to be an immediate goal but the aim of a sugar-free diet is to allow you to reevaluate your relationship with sugar over the long term.
For some, this means eliminating sugar added to their diets for a long time, while for other people, it might be a matter of introducing it again in smaller quantities after detox.
In time the reduction of your added sugar intake could result in many health advantages.
What is the reason why Sugar Addiction is A Problem?
From pies to cupcakes to coffee drinks with ice, sugar is in all kinds of foods, and it is virtually impossible to eliminate.
A psychological or emotional dependency on sweet drinks and foods which is also known as addiction to sugar is a real source of concern for health professionals in America.
Foods processed and refined produce additional sugar in the body when the body has metabolized the food.
In moderation, sugar isn’t detrimental however, some people overdo it. Recent research suggests Americans consume a lot of sugar.
For instance, about 75 percent of Americans consume excessive amounts of sugar – some of them could be considered to have an addiction to sugar.
What Causes People to Develop a Sugar Addiction?
Sugar consumption can trigger an immediate high as well as the body can feel energized. the body. Certain studies suggest that sugar can be just as addictive as Cocaine.
People generally appreciate the dopamine boost that sugar induces. However, due to the dependence on sugar, long-term health consequences like diabetes and obesity are a result of excessive consumption.
Like other compulsions and addictions to behavior, sugar addiction poses a particular risk for people who suffer from mood disorders as well as anxiety.
In addition, those who suffer constantly tiredness might reach for sugary, carb-rich food items to boost their energy levels.
Sugar produces endorphins within the body, and then interacts with other chemical substances within the body, resulting in an increase in energy.
If someone is able to mentally link sugar to energy-giving benefits it is possible to be dependent on sugar (usually not in a way).
The person may develop a craving for sugar to ease irritability depression and other issues.
In this stage, there is usually no control over eating habits and a dependency on sugar is developing.
Signs of a Sugar Addiction:
Contrary to many other drug use issues or habits sugar addiction is usually easily identifiable. The most obvious signs of addiction are the consumption of large quantities of drinks or food filled with sugar.
A person may consume food on a constant basis or eat in order to fight boredom, or become overly overwhelmed and then crash.
They might even discuss having a craving for sugar following difficult or unpleasant life events.
Emotional Eating and Sugar Addiction:
Some people find sugar’s capacity to boost energy instantly, along with the sweet flavor of sweet foods appealing.
Sugar can provide some with a “quick fix” after a long, difficult day. When people are dealing with emotional stress or breakups situations usually turn on chocolates or pints of ice cream to ease themselves through the stressful moment.
However, those who resort to sugar for relief from emotions will more often get addicted.
Other indicators of sugar addiction to ease emotional stress include weight gain and difficulty in focusing on daily tasks.
These negative effects can harm self-esteem, trigger feelings of helplessness, and decrease self-worth. This results in more sugar intake and a more intense addiction.
Sugar Addiction And Binge Eating:
A particular concern with the addiction to sugar is binge eating. It is when you eat excessively and in a hurry that is followed by feelings like guilt shame, guilt, and displeasure.
It can also include an emphasis on sweets for the same self-medicating and mood-regulating effects of eating a lot of non-sugary food items.
It is crucial to remember that food, specifical sugar, is only a short-term solution to emotional issues.
When you know someone that you care about has depression issues and uses food as a way to get through it, look into rehab or therapy.
Anxiety and Sugar Dependency:
Anxiety and craving for sugar have a direct connection. Disorders of eating such as anorexia or binge eating can occur due to underlying causes.
In most cases, those affected by these conditions suffer from psychological or emotional motives.
Stress eating is a common instance of the link between anxiety and eating disorders and sugar intake is often linked to eating disorders that cause stress.
Anxiety triggers the stress hormone cortisol, which is released by the body. It may reduce appetite in certain.
However, stress can push people who are already addicted to sugar to indulge in more.
If sugar addiction is a co-occurring issue with eating food to ease anxiety, the result is usually weight growth.
Despite sugar’s initial effect of increasing Serotonin levels within the brain, it can cause anxiety because sugar levels drop can cause depression and fatigue.
Alcohol and Sugar Addiction:
There’s a surprising genetic link between children who have parents who drink as well as sugar dependence.
A recent study found that dopamine receptors within the brain get lit in response to sugar consumption, which is similar to the receptors that are lit up in the brains of people who is a drinker.
This may encourage people who struggle with sugar to develop alcohol dependence.
Alcohol-dependent people have a greater desire for sweets and suffer from sugar cravings and withdrawals.
Parents who are alcohol dependent and their preference for sugar could be passed on to their kids.
In the end, the child may be born with an increased risk of both these addictions.
Sugar Withdrawal:
Many who remove sugar from their diets experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, moodiness, fogginess, and fatigue.
Because many people suffering from sugar addiction have indulged in sweet foods, the cravings and withdrawal can be very intense.
Many people choose to return to eating sweets to ease the release of chemicals in the brain.
An alternative that is much better is to make a diet swap, in which the sugar addict swaps unhealthy sweets with healthier and natural alternatives to get back in control.
The Bottom Line:
Change starts with recognizing that there’s a problem in one’s addiction to sugar.
Making changes to one’s diet and demonstrating self-control can be helpful, but doing it cold turkey isn’t a good idea.
A person who is addicted to sugar or has a history of other addiction disorders or an underlying mental health issue may have a difficult time overcoming their cravings.
If someone close to you suffers from an addiction to sugar, especially in the event of complicating factors and you are in need of treatment, contact a provider right now to learn more about the options available to you.
Ask your friends and loved ones for support.
If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, consider joining a support group or seeking counseling. Believe in your ability to take control of the pain…
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