{"id":448008,"date":"2026-02-27T06:07:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/448008\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T06:07:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T06:07:13","slug":"6-warning-signs-youre-eating-too-much-sugar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/448008\/","title":{"rendered":"6 warning signs you’re eating too much sugar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hands up if you\u2019ve eaten at least one sweet treat so far today? According to a 2024 study from the Oral Health Foundation<\/a>, 84% of the UK population eats at least one sugary snack per day, while 79% consume up to three.<\/p>\n

Sugar is in a lot of what we eat and, much like caffeine, it\u2019s something that many of us depend on for a pick-me-up or burst of energy.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s important to recognise that too much sugar can have a significant impact on our health and lead to major issues like heart disease, arthritis and obesity.<\/p>\n

However, \u201cnot all sugar is created equal,\u201d says Nichola Ludlam-Raine, the registered dietitian behind Yahoo UK\u2019s Eat Better<\/a> series.<\/p>\n

She explains that it\u2019s important to understand the difference between natural sugar and added sugars.<\/p>\n

Natural sugars are found in foods like fruit (fructose), milk and yoghurt (lactose) and some vegetables. These foods often provide fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals that support overall health, whereas free or added sugars \u2013 which are incorporated into processed foods to increase flavour or extend shelf life \u2013 are the main concern.<\/p>\n

Ludlam-Raine, who\u2019s also a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, says, \u201cConsistently high intakes of added sugar can affect energy levels, appetite regulation, teeth health, gut health, skin and immune function \u2013 particularly when they displace more nutrient-dense whole foods in the diet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are some signs to look out for if you suspect you’re consuming too much sugar in your daily diet.<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

There are a number of signs you might be eating too much sugar, including acne, bloating and fatigue.<\/p>\n

(Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)Signs you\u2019re eating too much sugar\ud83d\udc49 You\u2019re experiencing acne breakouts<\/p>\n

Studies suggest that there is a link between diets high in sugar and adult acne.<\/p>\n

This 2020 investigation<\/a> examined whether the consumption of certain foods is associated with acne in adults. It found that those who eat more fatty and sugary foods, sugary drinks and milk are more likely to report issues with acne.<\/p>\n

Sugar causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels, which in turn stimulates sebum production. Excess oil can clog pores and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow on the skin, leading to breakouts.<\/p>\n

Ludlam-Raine tells us, \u201cWhile sugar isn\u2019t the sole cause of breakouts, a consistently high intake may exacerbate them in some susceptible individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 You’re suffering from increased fatigue<\/p>\n

Feeling tired and sluggish? There\u2019s a chance this is down to how much sugar you\u2019re consuming.<\/p>\n

You might notice that, shortly after you\u2019ve consumed something high in sugar, you experience what\u2019s commonly known as a \u201csugar crash\u201d. This happens when your blood sugar spikes and then dramatically drops, leaving you feeling drained, low on energy and often craving more sugar to recover.<\/p>\n

This review from 2019<\/a> discovered that carbohydrate (sugar) ingestion is associated with greater feelings of fatigue and lower alertness shortly after eating.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelying on sugar for energy often replaces balanced meals that contain protein, fibre and healthy fats, which provide more sustained energy,\u201d explainsLudlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Too much sugar can leave you feeling fatigued and lethargic.<\/p>\n

(ingwervanille via Getty Images)\ud83d\udc49 You\u2019re always bloated<\/p>\n

Just as eating too much salt can cause bloating, so can sugar. If you feel swollen or puffier than usual, this could be because your body is holding on to water after consuming high levels of sugar.<\/p>\n

Ludlam-Raine says, \u201cExcess sugar, particularly from fizzy drinks, sweets and highly processed foods, can alter the balance of gut bacteria and increase fermentation in the gut, leading to bloating and discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n

It can also happen as a result of our bodies struggling to absorb certain sugars. \u201cLarge amounts of fructose (especially from sweetened drinks or syrups) can also be poorly absorbed in some people, contributing to digestive symptoms,\u201d says Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

Malabsorption<\/a> is a digestive disorder where the body cannot absorb enough of certain nutrients. It happens when the small intestine can\u2019t properly break down or transport sugars into the bloodstream.<\/p>\n

In some cases, people experience difficulty with sugar, which can cause gas pain and abdominal bloating.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 You\u2019re craving sugary foods<\/p>\n

Eating lots of sugar leads to eating more sugar. When we consume high levels of sugar, our brains have a strong dopamine response. This response is one we find ourselves regularly craving, which is why we feel the urge to eat even more.<\/p>\n

This creates a cycle in which we constantly seek out sugary foods that instantly reward us.<\/p>\n

Foods high in sugar have also been associated with releasing certain hormones<\/a> in the body that reduce feelings of stress \u2013 increasing the desire to eat more.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrequent consumption of high-sugar foods can condition your palate to prefer sweeter tastes and may dysregulate appetite hormones.\u201d says Ludlam-Raine. \u201cBlood sugar fluctuations can also drive cravings, creating a cycle where you reach for another quick sugar hit to restore energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 You\u2019re frequently ill<\/p>\n

\u201cChronically high sugar intakes may impair aspects of immune function, particularly if they contribute to overall poor diet quality. Diets high in added sugar often lack key nutrients such as zinc, vitamin C, fibre and protein, all of which are important for a well-functioning immune system,\u201d Ludlam-Raine tells Yahoo UK.<\/p>\n

A high-sugar diet can negatively affect your immune system, causing dysregulation of your body\u2019s immune response, according to this 2022 study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This may contribute towards autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 You require a lot of fillings<\/p>\n

If you eat excessive amounts of sugar, chances are you have a lot of fillings.<\/p>\n

Ludlam-Raine says, \u201cFrequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks is one of the strongest risk factors for dental caries. Oral bacteria feed on sugar and produce acids that erode tooth enamel, leading to decay over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

A good oral hygiene routine teamed with limited added sugars can significantly reduce the risk of cavities.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Some sauces and condiments have lots of added sugar.<\/p>\n

(Nathan Bilow via Getty Images)Foods you may not realise are high in sugar<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hands up if you\u2019ve eaten at least one sweet treat so far today? According to a 2024 study…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":448009,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[162463,3890,4014,64323,59,102,39767,162466,162465,162467,41556,162464,162468,56,54,55,2061],"class_list":{"0":"post-448008","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-added-sugars","9":"tag-blood-sugar","10":"tag-eating","11":"tag-energy-levels","12":"tag-gb","13":"tag-health","14":"tag-ludlam-raine","15":"tag-natural-sugar","16":"tag-nichola-ludlam-raine","17":"tag-oral-health-foundation","18":"tag-processed-foods","19":"tag-sugary-foods","20":"tag-too-much-sugar","21":"tag-uk","22":"tag-united-kingdom","23":"tag-unitedkingdom","24":"tag-yahoo-uk"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=448008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/448008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/448009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=448008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=448008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=448008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}