"If you're eating more sugar to try and get your energy levels back up after a crash, you're bound to crash again. Instead, go for something that delivers a mix of protein and fiber, like apple slices and peanut butter (made without added sugar), to slowly bring your blood sugar levels back up to normal," Seaver says.
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
A low-sugar, balanced breakfast is really helpful the day after a sugar overload. Since you have excess glucose in your body that needs to get burned up, avoid refined carbohydrates, like toast, pancakes and orange juice. Instead, load up on proteins and fats such as bacon and eggs.
Your body after a sugar binge: 30-45 minutes
Hormone and insulin levels are still riding high trying to deal with the sugar barrage and inevitably, blood sugar levels drop. Lethargy and irritability set in, then comes the sugar 'hangover', in the form of a headache.
Once your cells have taken all that they can, your body stores more glucose in your liver and muscles as glycogen. As your body pulls sugar out of your bloodstream for use and for storage, your blood sugar drops, and you feel that all-too-familiar sugar crash.
According to Sarah Adler, Queen Anne-based nutrition coach, healthy lifestyle expert, food blogger and owner of lifestyle brand Simply Real Health, when you eat too much of the sweet stuff, your blood sugar spikes and crashes within the next hour or two, resulting in the sugar hangover feeling.
The Ohio University Medical Center determined that a sugar detox will take between 3-10 days.
In addition, as your body attempts to handle a blood sugar spike, it may overcorrect — resulting in a brief state of low blood sugar, called reactive hypoglycemia. This, in turn, can cause symptoms of lightheadedness, shakiness, irritability, sweating, anxiety and palpitations.
You're tired throughout the day.
You may get a high when you eat sugar. But what goes up must come down. So that rise in your blood sugar will eventually crash, leaving you with an energy slump. You'll feel wiped out and sluggish, looking for sweets to help you regain that sugar high.
Drinking more water
When your blood sugar levels are running high, your body will try to flush excess sugar out of your blood through the urine. As a result, your body will need more fluids to rehydrate itself. Drinking water can help the body with flushing out some of the glucose in the blood.
“Drink lots of water – at least two liters or more – the next day to rehydrate your body after consuming high-salt and high-sugar foods as well as alcohol,” Vavrek says.
Although absorbing water is the main job of the large intestine, sugar can draw water into the large intestine or at least prevent it from being absorbed properly. This can lead to bloating or a feeling of heaviness in the gut.
Dr. Nigma Talib, a naturopath who works with celebrities, has popularized the term “Sugar Face” to describe the effects that excess sugar has on the skin. Supposedly, she can look at someone's face and determine if they have a sweet tooth by the appearance and the location of their blemishes and wrinkles.
Drinking a citrus-flavoured drink has been shown to have positive effects on blood sugar levels. In addition to preventing dehydration it can help the kidneys flush out extra sugar in the blood. Otherwise, mounting blood sugar levels – an indicator of type 2 diabetes – could increase stroke risk.
Day 3 is the beginning of some of the hardest days for most folks! Your best bet: Realize that you are likely not experiencing a real cold or flu but the effects of detoxing from sugar.
But it's not only the booze and rich food that can leave you feeling a bit off the next day – sugar is also a huge culprit.
We now know that high sugar content causes more severe hangovers, but the effects can be mitigated if you opt for all-natural and organic alternatives. So next time you're at the Wine and Spirits store trying to figure out what to bring to the New Year's Eve party or pool party, remember to keep it simple.
What does a blood sugar headache feel like? Headaches from low blood sugar may feel dull or throbbing. Headaches from high blood sugar are typically also dull and throbbing, but one type may feel more severe, like stabbing, piercing, or shock-like pain.
You will look younger
Studies show that those who reduce their sugar intake improve their complexion. Acne starts to diminish and collagen production increases, which can take years off of your complexion. Quitting sugar could be the cheapest skincare product you invest in.
And while you can't spot-reduce fat from your stomach specifically, you can lower your overall body fat percentage by changing up your diet. We asked registered dietitians, an exercise physiologist, and MDs, and they all agree — limiting your sugar intake can help with fat loss, which will help you lose belly fat.
You'll suffer more headaches, making those withdrawal symptoms worse. You can also end up feeling much hungrier than you are. You see, your brain can't distinguish between hunger and thirst.