Let’s be real—sugar is everywhere. Even in foods you’d never expect, like tomato sauce, salad dressing, and your “healthy” granola bar. Ever since the low-fat craze took off, sugar’s been sneaking into more and more packaged foods to make up for lost flavor.

But here’s the thing: too much sugar isn’t just about cavities or the occasional sugar crash—it can quietly do a lot more harm than most people realize.

What Happens When You Eat Too Much Sugar?

Consistently high sugar intake—especially from refined carbs—can mess with your hormones, metabolism, and even how your skin looks. Let’s break it down:

1. Stubborn Weight Gain

Sugar can mess with your appetite signals, making you crave more food, especially more sugar. And the body tends to store that excess sugar as fat—often right around the belly. Not ideal, especially when you're trying to slim down or feel better in your clothes.

2. Aches and Pains

Joint pain that seems to come out of nowhere? Sugar could be a culprit. It promotes inflammation in the body, which can flare up in your joints and leave you feeling stiff, sore, or just plain achy.

3. Wrinkles, Too?

Yep. Extra sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins and forms compounds called AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products). These damage collagen and elastin—the stuff that keeps your skin smooth and firm. The result? More sagging, wrinkles, and that “tired” look.

4. Liver Trouble

We usually associate liver problems with alcohol, but sugar (especially fructose from juice, soda, and processed snacks) can overload your liver too. Over time, it can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is becoming surprisingly common.

5. Heart Health Takes a Hit

Too much sugar = too much insulin = damage to your arteries. It also raises your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and ultimately, heart disease.

But Here's the Good News…

You can totally turn things around. Cutting back on sugar—even just a little at a time—can have a massive impact on your energy, mood, skin, and long-term health.

Start with Small Swaps:

• Choose unsweetened versions of your go-to foods

• Add cinnamon or fruit instead of sugar to oatmeal or yogurt

• Check labels (sugar hides under names like corn syrup, maltose, dextrose...)

• Stay hydrated—sometimes thirst shows up as sugar cravings

Reclaim Your Health with a Sugar Detox

Bottom line: Sugar doesn’t have to control your cravings, your weight, or your health. A few mindful changes can help you feel more energized, less inflamed, and way more in control.

Need help navigating your sugar detox or creating a personalized plan that’s realistic (and not joyless)?
Dr. Andrea E at Divine Spine Calgary SW is here to help!