How long does sugar stay in your system? You will find out in the course of reading. Sugar tastes good but it is regarded as pure, white and deadly. Things get really tricky if you consume an excess amount of sugar every single day but exceptions can be made if you are eating sugar on special occasions, you probably shouldn’t have much to worry about.
Sugar impacts your body within a few minutes of eating it. The effect of these impacts can be harmful. The duration of effects may vary from person to person. They can technically last all day, if you are constantly eating it without any form of exercise to burn out the excesses.
Here’s what you need to know about sugar before treating yourself to another piece of cake or a scoop of ice cream.
Is Sugar Found in Most of the Food We Eat?
Sugar is natural, but not all sugar is processed equally. Pure sugar from sugar cane is made into refined white sugar, which is commonly added to baked goods or drinks.
Sugar processed from corn is also referred to as high-fructose corn syrup. It is used to flavor latte syrups or sweeten beverages like soda. These sugars are rampant in most of the food items we consume and are also known as added sugars.
Sugar is also naturally present in fruits (like mango, banana, grape, cherries, watermelon etc.), dairy (like milk, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt etc.) and vegetables (carrot, tomato, sweet potato, rutabagas, peas etc.). This sugar is part of a bigger nutritional picture, but it has similar effects on your body. That’s the most important difference between naturally occurring sugar and added sugar.
Foods with added sugar don’t do anything to help boost your overall health and such food aren’t natural. However, foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fruits, dairy and vegetables, contain essential nutrients that help power your body.
We are referring to all sugars, when we talk about how long sugar stays in your system. Where exactly the sugar comes from doesn’t make any difference as it tends to stay in your system for the same amount of time.
Many people don’t realize that the human body treats these sugars the same. The sugar from a banana can stay in your system just as long as the sugar from a cupcake.
How Sugar Becomes Blood Sugar
Digestion takes place after eating. It starts from the stomach, through your intestines and out of the body. Your body releases nutrients from the food into your bloodstream during this process.
Nutrients like vitamin B 12 which helps produce healthy red blood cells. Meanwhile, vitamin C works to promote optimal health of your gums and skin. Protein on the other hand is broken down into smaller pieces that eventually become the building blocks for muscles and tissues.
Sugars are broken down into monosaccharides, which do not benefit your body. When monosaccharide enters your bloodstream, it contributes to your blood sugar rather. Blood sugar or blood glucose is simply an accessible form of immediate energy for all your internal organs.
As much as everyone needs to have sufficient blood glucose for their body to function properly, having too much can be dangerous too.
What Happens to Your Blood Sugar After You Eat?
Your blood sugar level rises after you eat. The process is slow, as the body fully processes the sugar intake from the food you eat using over an hour. Your blood sugar levels are at their highest after 90 minutes of any food intake. This process is expected and required.
When you eat whole food and properly nourish your body, your blood glucose levels stay stable throughout the day. Low blood sugar can lead to feeling dizzy, tired, or even confused.
How Long Does Sugar Stay in your System?
Majority of people have at least some amount of sugar in their system and can only do away with it if they fast for an extended period of time. You’re introducing sugar into your body, every time you eat. It will take 2-3 hours for the bulk of sugar to leave your system, only if you were to eat low-calorie food and remain fasted. Some residual sugar should remain.
Your organs need sugar to function. If your blood sugar level is low, your body enters hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia causes fast heartbeat, sweating, nervousness or anxiety and hunger. If you don’t eat and replenish your body’s stores of sugar, your brain may start to decline in function because it doesn’t have the glucose it needs for energy.
The aim should be to eat whole grain, nutritional food with naturally occurring sugars like fruits to keep your body healthy. This prevents blood sugar drops that can cause adverse side effects while helping your body meet its nutritional needs.
How to Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable
If your blood sugar levels become a thing of concern, speak with your doctor right away. Eliminating added sugar from your diet is an excellent idea that only maximizes your overall health in the long run.
These are a few easy steps to keep your blood sugar level stable and be feeling your best in no time;
- Drink more water: Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
- Eat fruits and vegetables instead of desserts: Fruits are filled with naturally sugar.
- Eat food with low sugar: Food with low sugar options makes a world of difference.
- Exercise frequently: Exercise gets your heart pumping.
- Follow a diet based on portion control: Portion control is vital when it comes to sugar intake.
- Manage your stress level: Try going for a walk, cooking a favorite meal or doing yoga.
- Sleep well: Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to wake up with natural energy.
