The Effects of Quitting Sugar: What Happens to Your Brain and Body?

TLDRAfter 24 hours of no sugar, your body starts to lose water weight. In the first 24 hours, blood sugar levels drop and glycogen is broken down for energy, resulting in water weight loss. After 48 hours, the body starts to feel fatigued and crave sugar as it needs to create new sources of energy. By day 3, your breath may start to stink due to the breakdown of fat into ketones. After 5-10 days, your taste buds become more sensitive to sugar. After 6 weeks, you may notice improved bowel movements and less bloating. After 10 weeks, acne lesions have significantly reduced. After 1 year, your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity is reduced.

Key insights

💦After 24 hours of no sugar, the body starts to lose water weight due to the breakdown of glycogen.

⚡️After 48 hours, the body starts to feel fatigued and crave sugar as it needs to create new sources of energy.

🧪The conversion of proteins to sugars and the breakdown of fats into ketones contribute to tiredness and sugar cravings.

🧠Sugar activates dopamine release, which can create cravings, but there is no evidence that sugar is as addictive as drugs.

👅After 5-10 days, your taste buds become more sensitive to sugar, increasing the perception of sweetness.

Q&A

Why do we lose water weight when quitting sugar?

—The breakdown of glycogen, the storage of sugars in our body, releases water, leading to initial water weight loss.

Is sugar as addictive as drugs?

—While sugar activates dopamine release, there is no evidence that it is as addictive as drugs like cocaine.

Why do we crave sugar when cutting it out?

—When the body needs to create new sources of energy, it activates pathways causing dopamine release, leading to sugar cravings.

Does cutting out added sugar improve acne?

—Yes, after 10 weeks of low sugar intake, acne lesions have been shown to significantly reduce.

What are the long-term benefits of cutting out sugar?

—Reduced risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and improved sleep are some long-term benefits.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The average American consumes half a cup or more of sugar every day.

00:11In the first 24 hours of no sugar, the body starts to lose water weight as the breakdown of glycogen releases water.

01:31After 48 hours, the body starts to feel fatigued and crave sugar as it needs to create new sources of energy.

02:51Sugar activates dopamine release, creating a positive reinforcement around wanting to trigger and can create cravings.

03:57After 5-10 days, the taste buds become more sensitive to sugar, increasing the perception of sweetness.

04:36After 10 weeks of low sugar intake, acne lesions have significantly reduced.

04:59By cutting out sugar, you can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

05:26Reducing sugar intake has been shown to improve sleep and reduce symptoms of IBS.

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