What Happens When You Quit Sugar for 30 Days; Anahad O'Connor of The New York Times; Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure
By Anahad O' Connor, The New York Times
As Americans continue to grapple with an epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, many people are looking for ways to improve their health and lose weight. One popular approach is to cut sugar out of one's diet. While there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that sugar is the sole cause of obesity, there is no doubt that reducing sugar intake can have several health benefits.
In this article, we will explore what happens to your body when you quit sugar for 30 days.
The first few days of quitting sugar may be the most challenging. You may experience symptoms of withdrawal such as fatigue, headaches, irritability, and cravings for sugar. These symptoms usually subside within a few days as your body adjusts to the absence of sugar.
After the first few days, you will likely begin to notice several positive changes in your body and health. Some of the benefits of quitting sugar include:
- Weight loss: Sugar is high in calories, so cutting it out of your diet can help you reduce your overall calorie intake and promote weight loss.
- Improved blood sugar control: Sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Quitting sugar can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
- Lowered blood pressure: Sugar can increase blood pressure, so cutting it out of your diet can help reduce blood pressure levels.
- Improved cholesterol levels: Sugar can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Quitting sugar can help improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Reduced inflammation: Sugar can promote inflammation, which is a major risk factor for various health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Quitting sugar can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Increased energy levels: Sugar can give you a temporary boost of energy, but this is often followed by a crash. Quitting sugar can help stabilize your energy levels and give you more sustained energy throughout the day.
- Improved skin health: Sugar can damage collagen, which is a protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic. Quitting sugar can help improve skin health and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Reduced risk of certain cancers: Sugar can contribute to the growth of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Quitting sugar can help reduce the risk of developing these cancers.
- Improved mood: Sugar can cause mood swings and irritability. Quitting sugar can help stabilize your mood and make you feel more positive and energetic.
It is important to note that quitting sugar is not easy, but it is definitely worth it. If you are looking to improve your health and lose weight, cutting sugar out of your diet is a great place to start.
Surprising Things That Raise Your Blood Pressure
It is common knowledge that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Several things can raise your blood pressure, including salt, caffeine, and stress. However, some surprising things can also raise your blood pressure.
Here are a few surprising things that can increase your blood pressure:
- Sleep deprivation: People who get less than 6 hours of sleep per night have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. This is because sleep deprivation causes the body to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which raises blood pressure.
- Obesity: People who are obese are more likely to have high blood pressure. This is because obesity leads to insulin resistance, which can cause the kidneys to retain more sodium and water, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
- Physical inactivity: People who are physically inactive are at an increased risk of high blood pressure. This is because exercise helps to lower blood pressure by improving blood flow and reducing stress levels.
- Chronic kidney disease: People with chronic kidney disease are more likely to develop high blood pressure. This is because the kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure, and when they are damaged, they can't do this as effectively.
- Certain medications: Some medications can raise blood pressure. These include certain decongestants, birth control pills, and steroids.
- Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. This is because alcohol causes the body to release stress hormones, which increase blood pressure.
If you are concerned about your blood pressure, you should talk to your doctor. Keeping your blood pressure under control is essential for reducing your risk of developing heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health conditions.