In the last blog, we discussed what happens to your body immediately after you ingest refined sugar. Today, we’ll reveal what happens in the hours after sugar consumption, and we’ll discuss the lasting (and devastating) effects of excess sugar.
After 1-4 Hours
As your blood glucose levels decline and your hormone production balances out, your energy levels (and opioid levels) may drop, causing you to “crash.” For many, this leads to a vicious cycle of sugar consumption in order to achieve a temporary boost in energy and mood. But this ongoing roller coaster of highs and lows can be extremely dangerous in the long run.
Long-Term Effects
For at least five hours after the sugar is consumed, the state of crisis and hormone imbalance (including elevated levels of cortisol) in your body described above can cause impaired immune function, leaving you more susceptible to illness.
Over the long-term, this internal imbalance can contribute to a host of problems, including decreased absorption of nutrients, inflammation, adrenal fatigue and insulin resistance. Continually excessive sugar consumption can also lead to weight gain, migraines and tooth decay, and can also put unnecessary strain on your body’s organs, especially the liver and pancreas.
While foods and drinks with added sugars may be cheap and plentiful, the cost to your health in both the short and long-term is certainly something to consider. Avoid refined sugars whenever possible by consuming fresh, natural foods ““ and pay close attention to labels and ingredients to continually monitor your sugar intake.