Drinking sugary drinks provides a feeling of freshness and satisfaction that many people enjoy. But you need to be careful because excessive consumption of sugar can harm your health in the long run. What happens to your body when you consume too many sugary drinks? Check out the following review.

Why do we enjoy drinking sugary drinks?

Have you ever had cravings for sugary foods or drinks? It turns out that this condition has a scientific explanation. The taste buds and brain process sweet flavors, causing a feeling of happiness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sugar can cause the release of chemical compounds such as serotonin, which contributes to feelings of happiness. People have a strong desire for sweet foods and drinks as a result of their happiness.

Read more: Are You Craving Sweet Food? Here Are Some Healthy Options To Relieve Sugar Cravings

Short-term effects of excessive sugar consumption

Although it is refreshing and makes you happy, drinking too many sugary drinks is often linked to a variety of health issues. Permenkes No. 30 of 2013 regulates Indonesia's daily sugar consumption, which is 10% of the total calorie requirement (200 kcal), or 4 tablespoons of sugar (50 grams) per day.

Excess sugar consumption over time can increase the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity. In the short term, the effects of consuming too much sugar, such as drinking sugary drinks all at once, may not cause any specific symptoms. However, some bodily reactions may indicate that you have consumed too much sugar, such as:

A spike in blood sugar levels

When you eat sugar, your body digests it through saliva. The sugar is then absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose, which raises blood sugar levels. The pancreas then releases insulin, which absorbs glucose and converts it into energy.

Sugar is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream in the body, so insulin level spikes can be problematic in the long run. Excess glucose is then stored in your liver and muscle tissue until it is needed. Unused glucose is converted into fat tissue, resulting in weight gain.

Read more: Health Risks of Consumption Aspartame

Feeling more thirsty

Drinking sugary beverages can cause a spike in blood sugar, making you thirstier. When you eat sugar, it passes through your digestive system and into your bloodstream. The water component leaves the cells and enters the bloodstream, restoring fluid balance. When cells lose water, they send signals to the brain, indicating that they require more water. This is what causes thirst.

Increases hunger

Sugary drinks may make you happy, but they do not truly satisfy or provide a sense of fullness. Consuming sugary foods causes your body to burn sugar more quickly and increases hunger, which can lead to snacking and overeating.

The body feels weak

One of the side effects of eating too much sugar is feeling weak and unenergized. Sugar is a fast-burning energy source, so no matter how many sweets you consume, you will quickly become hungry. Furthermore, large fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin can cause energy levels to plummet and the body to feel weak.

Brain fog

Consuming too much sugar can also result in hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose levels. This mechanism causes inflammation in the brain, which impairs cognitive function and mood. Some of the effects you may experience include impaired memory, processing speed, and learning ability.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more tips and health tricks, first aid, and home remedies? Click here!