So you know sugar is addictive and can cause all sorts of serious health issues, but what about those sneaky ailments that you may not realise are the result of your sugar intake?

Due to its inflammatory nature, sugar may be responsible for many of the pesky problems we’re all faced with, for example;

Period Pain

Period pain, be it from something as severe as endometriosis or simply a dull ache each month, is a result of inflammation in the uterine area.

Psoriasis or Eczema

Another example of inflammation in the body. For many who get Eczema, they also suffer from Asthma. All of these are considered inflammatory illnesses.

Arthritis

Whilst it tends to affect us as we get older, arthritis is inflammation of the joints. That said, younger people can suffer from this too.

PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Whilst it’s not technically ‘inflammatory’ it is in a round about way. PCOS could be considered inflammation presenting in the ovaries.

Headaches

Most aches and pains boil down to inflammation. It’s important to consider if your headache has a specific trigger, be it hormonal (typically the same time each month) or food related (triggered by food like sugar).

Insomnia

Eating a diet high in sugar can cause a reaction in the body that triggers the “fight or flight” part of the nervous system, resulting in difficulty getting to and staying asleep.

Acne

From a Chinese medicine view point, acne is definitely ‘accumulation’ in the body, typically damp but sometimes combined with heat.  Acne can definitely be inflamed by sugar and slow down the healing process.

Digestive troubles

Overconsumption of sugar feeds candida (yeast), leading to bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Night Sweats

Fluctuations in blood sugar levels can cause problems in the body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature, so if you eat too closely to bedtime, or too much sugar you may find yourself experiencing night sweats.

Image via @dolciwithlove