What happens if you cut sugar for two weeks?

Starting the day with a sugar rush — a doughnut, a sweet coffee, or even that “healthy” breakfast cereal — can feel comforting at first. Soon enough, you will realise that you are obsessed with sugar — an addiction sometimes stronger than drug abuse. In a little while, your body will start to show signs of struggle. Added sugar may give you an instant dopamine hit, but it quickly sends you crashing, leaving you tired, irritable, and craving more. And the long-term health consequences are even worse. Studies have shown that excess sugar intake is linked with diabetes and even heart disease.

But what would happen if you cut sugar for a few days? In a video shared on Instagram, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a leading gastroenterologist explained how quitting sugar, even in the short term, can provide visible results.

Sugar cut for two weeks

If you are planning to quit added sugar from your diet, here’s your sign. “As a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations in my patients after they remove sugar from their diets. Within just 14 days, their liver and gut health show significant improvement,” the doctor, based in California and trained at Harvard and Stanford, said.

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A few days after removing sugar from your diet, you will notice your eyes transform. “Any puffiness or fluid retention around your eyes will also reduce,” Dr Sethi said.

For those struggling with belly fat, cutting sugar can do miracles, according to the doctor. “You will also see a reduction in belly fat as the fat in your liver begins to decrease.”

Removing sugar also leads to a happy gut, the doctor explained. “Additionally, eliminating sugar leads to a healthier gut by restoring a healthy gut microbiome.”

If you are struggling with breakouts and red spots, removing sugar from your diet can work wonders. Dr Sethi shared that within two weeks you will start noticing improvement in your skin, and it will begin to get clearer.

What science says

Added sugars — such as table sugar, store-bought beverages, and desserts — are doing more harm than good. Though people today are becoming more aware of the deleterious effects of added sugar in their diets, sugar intake is still on the rise. A high-sugar diet is seen as a risk factor for obesity and chronic illness.

A long-term study by researchers at the University of Bonn found that although sugar intake has been declining steadily since 2010, it remains above the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO guidelines recommend that adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. A further reduction to below 5%, or roughly 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day, would provide additional health benefits.

“We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity, and tooth decay,” said Dr Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development.

A 2022 study found that sugar disrupts the gut microbiome, setting off a chain of events that leads to metabolic disease, prediabetes, and weight gain.


Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.