Benefits of a Sugar Detox

by Nakia Vargas

Sugar is one of the most talked about topics in the world of health and fitness. And for a good reason: too much sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and many other health problems. As a skincare professional, I decided to cut back on added sugar and refined sugar to see how they would impact my skin. I will share my journey, the benefits I've experienced, and some tips I used to cut back on added sugar. 


My Sugar Detox Journey

Oh, Sugar, I would be lying if I said the detox process was easy. It was hard, especially that first week. Based on my personality, going cold turkey was the method I chose. I was fine on day one, and it was a breeze. Day two began with a manageable slight headache; by day three, the headache had grown into a full-blown migraine. Days four and five felt as though someone was hitting my head with a hammer and that it would explode any minute. I was nauseous, dizzy, sluggish, irritable, and couldn't concentrate at work or home. I even considered going to the hospital if it worsened on day six. Thankfully, the migraine began to dissipate by day six, and by day eight, it was gone.

It was an unpleasant experience. However, it was eye-opening and enough to keep me from ever eating Sugar again (or at least not in such large quantities). As always, we encourage you to speak with your medical provider to ensure you don’t have any underlying health conditions that could be made worse by a sugar detox.


Benefits Of My Sugar Detox

I noticed my first sugar detox benefits within about three weeks when it was time for my menstrual cycle. The first thing I noticed was that my skin did not have the monthly acne breakout I had expected. Secondly, my breast didn't get tender leading up to my period. My sore breast was a warning sign that my period was on its way. This was the first time in over 35years that I didn't have this "heads up." Lastly, the flow of my menstrual cycle was lighter than usual. 


As you can imagine, I was happy about the changes, but I was also a little skeptical.  So, I decided to push forward with my sugar detox. Surprisingly, I didn't have the breakouts, sore breasts,s or heavy flow the next month.  Moving forward to August, my blood pressure was significantly lower four months into my detox journey.


Tips And Tricks For A Successful Sugar Detox

  1. I cut out all processed foods like cakes, cookies, candy, etc.
  1. I replaced sugary drinks with water or unsweetened tea. Sweet tea is a staple in the South. So, I opted for lots of ice and lemon in my sweet tea to compensate for the lack of sugar. 

About two months into my journey, a server accidentally gave me sweet tea instead of unsweetened tea. I took a sip before realizing it, and I was disgusted because it tasted like liquid sugar. That was a sign that my palate had changed, and I no longer had a taste for sugary drinks.

  1. Fruits are nature's candy. So, when I crave something sweet, I eat a piece of fruit instead.
  1. I increased my water intake. This was probably the essential tip because it helped with my sugar cravings and headaches.
  1. I began reading ingredient labels and did not purchase anything with sugar in the top 10 ingredients. 
  1. I told my friends and coworkers about my journey so they could serve as my accountability partners. 

Going sugar-free can be a challenge, but it is worth it. I have experienced so many benefits since I stopped eating added refined sugar. My skin doesn't break out, my breasts don't get tender leading up to my period, and my monthly menstrual cycle is lighter than usual. My blood pressure was significantly lower four months into my detox journey.
If you are considering going sugar-free or have started your journey, I encourage you to keep going. It is not easy, but it is worth it! And if you need some support, remember that I am rooting for you! 
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Click below to download a guide on Foods to Avoid or cut back on if you have acne or other inflammatory skin conditions.

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