Sugar is like that spontaneous, unpredictable friend who takes you on fun – but regrettable – adventures. Just as they leave you with a killer hangover the next day, added sugar can also have some detrimental effects on your body after the high wears off. From wreaking havoc on your skin to plummeting your energy levels, added sugar is usually more trouble than it's worth.

Before you indulge in that pack of biscuits, let's take a look at how sugar affects your body – from your head to your toes.

Promotes poor mental health

Sugar can contribute to inflammation and an imbalance in gut bacteria – and all of this spells trouble for our mental health. The reason is because it throws our hormones out of whack, with research linking this imbalance to chronic mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Excess sugar consumption has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline – a pretty good reason to keep the sweet stuff to a minimum. The gut-brain axis a well-documented, complex communication system between the gut and the brain, with researchers finding that disruptions to this system can have negative effects on mental health. But it’s not just the long-term issues you have to worry about, the short-term effects like low mood and mood swings can also be disruptive to your life, with many finding they lack energy on a high-sugar diet. Excess sugar can interfere with the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are vital for regulating mood. Then we’ve also got the aspect of addiction – sugar been shown to activate the brain’s reward system in similar ways to drugs like cocaine. This can lead to a cycle of cravings and overconsumption, thereby can negatively affecting mental health.

Leads to heart disease

Consuming too much added sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity as a result of the visceral fat that develops around the abdominal organs, and obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. High sugar consumption can also lead to chronic inflammation in the body, which then damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease. Plus, we’ve also got the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol that comes with consuming too much added sugar – this is another major risk factor for heart disease. Consuming too much sugar can also increase blood pressure levels, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Over time, these factors can damage the blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis – a build-up of plaque in the arteries.

Causes skin problems

Another way excess sugar consumption affects the body is through the skin – many people report acne and wrinkling when their diets are on the excessive side of sweet. The first reason this happens is because of the insulin spikes that come with eating high-sugar foods – this can increase sebum production, which can then increase acne breakouts. Glycation is another effect of long-term excess sugar consumption and it occurs when sugar attaches itself to the proteins in the body, which then leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in skin. The result? Acne and premature wrinkling.

Need a little help with your sugar addiction? That’s what we’re here for! It’s no secret that a sugar habit is a tough one to beat – wherever you go, sugar is there. Unlike with ditching alcohol, there are few places where sugar is unwelcome. From birthday parties and functions to the office pantry, Sunday markets and the supermarket. Is it any wonder that so many of us find it hard to quit the stuff? That’s why it can help to join a program like ours – our 8-Week Program is based on accountability, support and providing the essential resources to set you up for success.

We’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!