Sugar makes everything taste excellent, there’s no denying it. As a matter of fact, sugar is essential to your survival, as it provides fuel for the body. But too much added and artificial sugar can actually wreak havoc on the body’s functions. It can cause serious health conditions and affect your mind negatively. But how do you know if you are consuming too much sugar? Here are 8 ways your body tells you exactly that.

Poor skin
Too much sugar in your meals can actually affect your skin negatively. In fact, acne is one of the most common skin conditions that could be caused as a result of too much sugar. High sugar intake can cause the release of androgen and also contribute to the oil production and inflammation of the skin. Too much sugar can also lead to the development of wrinkles and triggers aging.

Exhaustion and fatigue
Another common sign of too much sugar intake is exhaustion and fatigue. Sugar is a quick energy source but irrespective of how much you eat, you will find yourself feeling hungry again. Not to mention, consuming too much sugar can lead to large fluctuations in blood sugar and energy spikes, which can leave you feeling tired and exhausted.

Increased blood pressure
Increased or high blood pressure is another sign of excessive sugar consumption. Studies have shown that consuming sweetened drinks and foods has a direct link with high blood sugar and can even lead to hypertension. Excessive sugar consumption can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as cholesterol and diabetes.

Excessive hunger
One of the major signs of high sugar consumption is hunger. Sugar is sweet and delicious, but it only satisfies the taste buds. Unfortunately, it does nothing to satiate your hunger. This often means you will end up hungry and find yourself consuming more calories without any essential protein, vitamins, and healthy fats. Eating too many unhealthy calories can also lead to weight gain, which is another sign of excessive sugar consumption.

Mood swings and irritability
Too much sugar can also affect the mood of an individual. It could lead to irritability, stress, and moodiness. This is because high-sugar foods can contribute to spikes in blood sugar levels. But the human body tries to process this increase in blood sugar the energy levels drop. This can lead to irritability and leave you feeling crabby.

Craving sugar
High consumption of sugar can leave you in an addictive and vicious cycle. This is because the more you eat sugar, the more your mind and body crave it. A high sugar meal can leave you feeling ecstatic and great, but this wave comes to an end soon. The body and mind then crave this high once more, and you can find yourself wanting to eat more sugar within no time.

Sleep troubles
Light and temperature play important roles in maintaining a quality sleep cycle. But what many do not know is that glycemic control can also affect the quality and quantity of your sleep. Research has shown that those who have a high consumption of added and artificial sugars have poor sleep quality.

Poor mental clarity
Glucose is the primary source of energy in the body. It fuels not only your muscles but also your brain. Excess amounts of sugar in your meals can have a negative impact on cognitive functions and cause inflammation in the brain.

Ignoring these signs may lead to complications like damage to kidney or blood vessels. Consulting a healthcare professional can help one discover the ideal treatment regime and best practices for managing one’s high sugar levels.

High blood sugar tends to disrupt the digestive system. It can trigger issues like stomach pain, abdominal cramping, or gastroparesis—a condition in which the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine slows down. So, people with digestive disorders should consider limiting their sugar intake after speaking to a healthcare professional.

Excess sugar intake and high blood sugar could also lead to macular degeneration—a condition that affects central vision due to damage to the macula. One may also be at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss. People with diabetes may experience damage to their blood vessels in the retina, which could lead to such issues.

If one has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device could be a helpful tool to manage the condition. The device involves placing a sensor under one’s skin, which measures one’s glucose levels around the clock. Additionally, the device has a transmitter that sends the results to compatible smart devices.

Individuals diagnosed with diabetes may also benefit by signing up for Medicare. This federal health insurance policy covers the cost of specific treatments and health supplies like CGM devices that help track blood sugar. Medicare also covers the expense of diabetes prevention programs for individuals with a greater chance of developing the condition.