What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Sugar Completely?

What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Eating Sugar Completely?

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
20 April, 2025

The phrase ‘stopping sugar completely’ that has been used in the title of this blog refers only to added sugars and processed stuff, not the good stuff that you naturally find in fruits, veggies, whole grains and other foods in general. This means that every food stuff we consume is converted into glucose in the body, which is the preferred resource for cellular energy to be produced, followed by fat breakdown- also called lipolysis. Many people think opting for a totally carb-free diet is good for them- sure, keto-friendly diets are high in protein and low or absent in carbs and they are beneficial for your body. But, not everyone responds well to this kind of diet. Studies have shown that consumption of more added sugars than is necessary causes many kinds of chronic illnesses- like liver disease, diabetes, cholesterolemia etc.

How Long Does It Take For Your Body To Adjust After Quitting Sugar?

How long you take to transition to a state of normalcy depends on how dependent you were on your sugary drinks and snacks. Cutting off sugar from your diet can result in a withdrawal of sorts- where you may feel more intense cravings and need to binge on food.  If you have a lot of sugar or processed foods on a daily basis, then withdrawal may last for a few weeks or you may be fine in a few days. The first week is pretty hard, is what people report. But, after that, every meal is more rewarding- you taste food better, you feel texture and flavour better. Even normal amounts of sugar will feel like too much. Enough about your palate alone, you significantly reduce your risk of developing metabolic issues like diabetes or liver disease- fatty liver etc. Your blood glucose levels get better and this can lead to lesser systemic inflammation as a whole.

For many people, clearer skin is also a huge plus. Weight loss can also occur, as your body adjusts to the ‘new-normal’ and begins to burn fat too, as an energy source.

What Are The Side Effects Of Stopping Sugar Intake Abruptly?

You may have withdrawal symptoms- where you feel cranky and have the intense urge to snack on sweet stuff. Low blood sugar and a heightened sense of fatigue can feel overwhelming. But, you will get better, just trust the process!

Benefits Of Going Sugar-Free For Your Heart And Overall Health

Apart from your metabolism improving a lot, you can expect your heart to work better. You won’t have to deal with cavities and oral health is way better than ever. Your brain changes imperceptibly too- sucrose tends to activate certain receptors in the brain and can cause dopamine – which is the molecule that causes you to have the rewarding feeling when you snack on something sweet. Sugar is so potent that it is even worse than cocaine- in making the brain feel rewarded and in its addictive capacity. Scientists think that the dopamine crash that occurs with withdrawal can cause you to eel dizzy, moody and cause related symptoms.

Conclusion

Some people may try to overdo the no sugar challenge and try to cut out all carbs- this is a bad idea because carbohydrates are the most preferred energy source in the body. You need to hence strike a balance- eat fresh fruits, whole foods and focus on a proper diet, instead of cutting out processed foods alone. It is totally okay to eat fruits, veggies and airy in moderate quantities everyday as they are healthy for you and provide much needed nutrients- like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Sugar goes by different names, so do your research- as it won’t just be listed as that on the back of the package.  Try not to stick to going sugar free for just a month but see how you can make it a long term goal that you can continue to improve on, gradually. Do that by gradually reducing sugars and not going cold turkey all of a sudden. Good luck on going sugar free! 

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