Sugar-related illnesses are becoming increasingly common. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even adrenal fatigue are just a few of the serious chronic conditions linked to excessive consumption of this sweet, yet potentially harmful, substance. Many people realize they’re addicted to sugar when they frequently crave something sweet and comforting throughout the day for a quick energy boost. Have you become a sugar addict? Are you consuming too much sugar? Here are some signs that may indicate it.

10 Signs of Excessive Sugar Consumption

1. **Fatigue and Lack of Energy**
Constantly feeling tired or fatigued is one of the biggest signs of too much sugar in your diet. While high-sugar foods provide a temporary boost of carbohydrates and increased energy, the subsequent “sugar crash” can be debilitating. Constantly feeling tired may be a sign that you need to reassess your diet and sugar intake. (There are other causes of fatigue that can be explored further.)

2. Sugar/Carb Cravings:
If you experience daily cravings for the sweet taste of sugary snacks, it’s highly likely you’ve developed a sugar addiction. Sugar consumption can trigger a chain reaction of cravings due to its addictive nature. If you constantly feel the need for carbohydrates, you may be deeply addicted to sugar.

3. Frequent Colds and Flu
If you’re getting sick more often than usual, excess sugar in your diet may be the culprit. If every circulating virus seems to strike you, your addiction to sweet treats may be to blame. Excessive sugar consumption can weaken your immune system, impairing your body’s natural ability to fight colds, flu viruses, and even chronic illnesses. (Tips for naturally boosting your immune system are available.)

4. **Anxiety or Depression**
Just as high sugar consumption can lead to physical decline, it can also cause emotional decline. Once the energy boost from sugar wears off, the physical fatigue from the “sugar crash” can be accompanied by psychological fatigue. Feelings associated with depression, such as lethargy, sadness, and social isolation, can be experienced by sugar addicts. Feelings of anxiety, including nervousness, a sense of impending doom, and constant worrying, can also signal that your sugar intake needs adjustment. (You can explore natural treatments and essential oils for anxiety and depression.)

5. Skin and Leg Problems (Including Dark Circles Under the Eyes)
Sugar has an inflammatory effect on the body when consumed, which can contribute to inflammatory skin problems. If you suffer from acne, rosacea, eczema, or even just excessive oiliness or dryness, sugar may be the culprit. Many people report significant improvements in their skin (and overall health) after eliminating sugar from their diet.

6. Weight Gain:
The human body can only process a limited amount of sugar. When this limit is exceeded and sugar consumption continues, excess sugar calories are converted and stored as fat. This can quickly lead to weight problems such as obesity, which in turn carries the risk of a host of health problems, including high blood cholesterol, heart problems, sleep apnea, and more. (You can consider various weight loss strategies, such as certain spices, beverages, walking, and simple lifestyle changes.)

7. High Blood Pressure:
Blood pressure problems may not always be related to the sodium in your diet, but rather to sugar. A 2010 study by researchers at the University of Colorado at Denver, which involved more than 4,500 adults, found a link between hypertension (high blood pressure) and excessive sugar consumption. So, if you have high blood pressure, consider your sugar intake before blaming the salt shaker alone.

8. **Dental Problems**
It’s widely known that sugar is bad for your teeth. If you find yourself frequently visiting the dentist for cavities and root canals, the sugar you consume may be the problem. Sugar tends to get stuck in the crevices of your teeth, where it can erode enamel and penetrate the tooth, leading to painful dental problems. (Helpful tips for natural dental care are available.) Sugary drinks, in particular, can cause white spots on your teeth by damaging the protective enamel, leading to stains.

9. Diabetes:
Excessive consumption of sugar or sugary foods can lead to weight gain, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Even without a full diagnosis of diabetes, many people are “prediabetic” without realizing it. If you experience constant thirst or hunger despite eating regularly and staying hydrated, experience flushing after a sugar rush, or feel extremely weak and “out of sorts” when skipping meals, you should discuss your diabetes risk with your doctor. (Other early signs of diabetes shouldn’t be ignored.)

10. Heart Disease:
A high-sugar diet can potentially seriously impact heart health. A study conducted on rats at Case Western Reserve University found that a high-sucrose diet accelerated death and increased the risk of heart disease more than diets high in fructose, fat, or starch. While these results can’t be directly applied to humans (since the subjects were rodents), the fact that excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of diseases that negatively impact human heart health suggests a clear connection. (It’s worth exploring foods that may help maintain optimal heart health.)

How to Overcome Sugar Addiction

Reducing your intake of refined sugar and simple carbohydrates is an important step toward improving your health. Given the potential for numerous health problems and general malaise, there’s no reason to continue consuming sugary foods and beverages. If a close look at your diet reveals that sugary foods are a common theme, it’s time to commit to eliminating excess sugar from your life. Many healthy foods, such as fruits and sweet potatoes, are naturally sweet. Once you eliminate the processed sugars found in candy and soft drinks, your taste buds will be able to appreciate a healthy level of sweetness even more.