Signs that You're Eating too Much Sugar

 

There are signs that your body sends you when you are eating too much sugar. And you should stop eating as excessive sugar consumption is one of the habits that, over time, can significantly affect your health.  

1. Constant hunger

According to a study published in the magazine Hospital Nutrition,  sugar produces a greater feeling of satiety than carbohydrates. 

However, this satiety is short-term. Therefore, it is very likely that soon after you feel hungry again and go back to snacking. This, coupled with lack of exercise and poor diet, can lead to you becoming overweight or obese.

So if you feel hungry all the time despite eating, it may be because you are consuming too much sugar and no real nutrients.

2. Feeling tired because you’re consuming too much sugar

In general, glucose drinks usually provide us with energy and prevent tiredness and fatigue. In fact, many sports drinks contain sugars.

However, the long-term consequences of too much sugar are less clear. In fact, an experiment conducted at Cardiff Metropolitan University showed that individuals who reduced their intake of refined sugars improved their fatigue levels and overall mood.

So, if you constantly feel tired for no apparent reason, it may be because your diet is too rich in artificial sugar.

3. Weak teeth

Too much sugar combined with poor dental hygiene weakens your enamel. This is because your mouth is full of bacteria, some good, some bad. What sugar does is it serves as food for harmful bacteria that end up eroding your enamel and weakening your teeth. 

This, if left unchecked, can lead to constant cavities or teeth that break easily when you eat something hard, for example. 

4. Aging skin

According to a study published in the journal Clinics in Dermatology, aging skin may be another sign that you are consuming too much sugar. 

This is because it creates molecules known as AGES (advanced glycation end products), which damage the skin’s collagen and elastin. As a result, your skin ages faster.

5. Joint pain

Although this is a rarer symptom, excessive consumption of this sweet ingredient may lead to joint pain. In fact, some research associates excessive intake of carbonated beverages (high in sugars) with an increased likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women.

This is again due to the AGES molecules. These cause inflammation, which can degenerate into long-term joint pain. 

6. Weight gain

No doubt, if you are consuming too much sugar, you are very likely to gain weight, especially if you do not exercise. 

In fact, it creates a temporary feeling of fullness, which leads you to eat more and therefore put on weight.

7. Concentration problems

The effects of the accumulation of sugar in the blood are also perceived in cognitive abilities and the ability to concentrate.

When you consume too much sugar, you need more and more. This can lead to your brain not functioning properly when your blood sugar level drops because it needs it to provide energy to work. 

So, there may be periods when you suddenly feel like your mind is foggy and you are unable to concentrate. In fact, several studies associate excessive sugar consumption with certain cognitive dysfunctions. 

Also, keep in mind that sugar is addictive: the more you consume, the more you need it. This is because it releases dopamine (a hormone linked to well-being and pleasure), which generates addiction.