Sugar Detox Side Effects
Although most folks associate sugary diets with weight gain and obesity, sugar can also cause depression, headaches, fluid retention, hormonal imbalances, hypertension and bacterial fermentation in the colon. It may also increase the risk for coronary heart conditions, kidney damage and hypoglycemia and is shown to elevate triglycerides. With so many potentially damaging health effects linked to sugar consumption, you may be contemplating limiting or even cutting it out of your diet entirely. It is important to know what to expect when you make drastic changes in your diet and to be prepared for any detox reactions you might experience.
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Foods to Avoid
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Many packaged and prepared foods contain sugar. High-fructose corn syrup is a hidden culprit in many packaged food items and is often found in drinks such as soda and juice. Dextrose is laced in many packaged foods, including frozen items, and is also derived from corn syrup. Reading food labels is important on this diet and will help you to steer clear of these sugary dangers. It is recommended to remove all simple carbohydrates, alcohol, honey and sugar from your diet for best results.
Simple Carbohydrates
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Simple carbohydrates raise your glucose levels quickly and give you an almost immediate spike in energy levels. These are found in fruit, cake, candy and other sugar-sweetened items. Your body has become dependent on them if you have a diet high in sugar and you will need to replace these foods with healthier fare.
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Replacement Foods
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You can stabilize blood sugar and help reduce your cravings by selecting a diet filled with whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish and eggs. A high-fiber diet will assist in keeping glucose levels steady and help you to avoid a sudden plummet in blood sugar.
Physical Cravings
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Most physical cravings for sugar will usually subside within three to four weeks after removing it completely from your diet. You may experience lightheadedness, headaches or a lack of energy during the first week or two of the diet. The physical cravings will be easier to overcome as your body removes the toxins.
Emotional Reactions
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You may experience mood disorders while your body undergoes the detoxification process. Sugar is an addictive substance and produces highs in the body when the blood glucose levels are elevated. Many become addicted to this high and the temporary energy it provides and will find it difficult to avoid using sugar as a crutch to better their mood. Many sugar addicts have an emotional link to eating foods high in sugar, so in addition to losing a physical addiction they will also need to deal with the underlying emotional conditions beneath the problem.
Skin Irritations
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The body's largest eliminatory organ is the skin. You may experience rashes, itching, pimples or other skin irritations during the first few days of eliminating sugar from your diet. Drinking plenty of fresh water will help your body to detox quickly. A mixture of bentonite clay and aloe vera may help soothe skin eruptions. Generally, these types of irritations are usually short-lived.
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