Whether it’s desserts, soda, or even an innocent-looking snack, sugar can be found in many of our favorite treats. But sugar is highly addictive and comes with lots of consequences for our health. If you think you’re eating too much refined sugars and want a break, doing a sugar detox can help.

Cutting sugar from your diet can have some pretty awesome results.  Here are some of our favorites:

We’ve all experienced a sugar crash. The problem is caused by refined sugars which are absorbed too quickly by the body leading to a spike of energy, followed by a crash. Replacing sugar with complex carbs, fat, and protein results in more stable energy levels throughout the day. 

Tooth decay is caused by a film of bacteria called plaque. These bacteria feed on sugars found in our food and beverages. Reducing your sugar intake results in healthier, whiter teeth.

Eating too much refined sugar results in an excess of glucose in the bloodstream, which then gets converted to fat. Even worse, sugar can actually make you feel more hungry and encourage you to consume more calories than you need. It’s no wonder that reducing sugar intake is one of the best ways to lose weight.

Not only is sugar often found in foods that are low in fiber, but sugar reduces the amount of good bacteria found in the gut. Swapping out sugar for foods that are high in fiber, such as vegetables, helps restore healthy gut bacteria, remove toxins and improve bowel function.

Melatonin is a natural chemical that our brain releases to tell us it’s time to go to sleep. Sugar, however, delays the release of melatonin and can make it harder to fall asleep. Then, when we’re tired the next day, we’re more likely to consume sugar, which starts the cycle all over again. Bottom line: less sugar equals better sleep.

Sugar causes inflammation in the skin, leading to redness, acne, and wrinkling. A sugar detox interrupts this process and can help clear up your complexion in no time at all.

The ups and downs caused by a diet high in sugar can sometimes feel like riding a roller coaster.  It’s no surprise then that high sugar intake has been linked to increased anxiety, and even depression.  While cutting back on sugar won’t cure anxiety, it can help reduce symptoms. After cutting out sugar, many people report improved moods and better mental health.