Did anyone feel skin/digestive benefits from reducing (NOT quitting) sugar?

[LettuceBeFree]

Did anyone feel skin/digestive benefits from reducing (NOT quitting) sugar?

So not eliminating it completely but going from e.g. 5 biscuits per day (i.e. 30 biscuits per week) to about 3 biscuits per week

Also, do you experience sugar withdrawal symptoms from reducing sugar or is that only if you go completely cold turkey?

P.S I know it's never possible to completely eliminate sugar from the diet as carbs, etc. break down into sugar anyway but when I say all sugar, I mean like refined stuff (cakes, chocolate, sweets, etc)

Bump :)

I gave it up for 3 months. Struggled hugely for first while and then didn’t want sugary things at all. I went for a Chinese meal and struggled to eat it because it was too sickly sweet. I’d never registered how sweet the food was before. Couldn’t get over how intensely sweet strawberries were either when my palate wasn’t ruined with refined sugar.

I did eat very small amounts of dark choc, and lots of fruit. Just gave up milk choc, cakes, biscuits, sweets, ice cream etc

The effects weren’t exactly dramatic but lots of small niggles disappeared - itchy skin, tiny sore pimples in my hair line, aching joints, skin less flaky and just brighter, more energy, less digestive issues, no headaches. I had been getting concerned I was developing arthritis but the pain in my fingers cleared up. My sense of smell improved too.

I fell off the wagon but want to try again.

I gave it up for a year - lost 4 stone and my skin looked amazing. Trying to get back on the wagon ever since

I can totally see the difference in all ways since giving up sugar - skin, hair, brain/thinking, digestion. If I fall off the wagon it's so obvious in all the above.

Thank you for your helpful replies, everyone.

@StitchingMoss @springydaff
Did you both completely cut out sugar or just a reduction, to notice the positive effects on skin and digestion?

I've reduced sugar as much as I can. I no longer have sweet desserts or chocolate, but I might have the odd biscuit and of course there is still sugar in ketchup, baked beans etc.
I haven't noticed any digestive changes but the acne on my face, back and chest has nearly completely disappeared and it only took a few days for me to notice the difference.

I realise I didn't answer your op properly! Sorry

So, yes, I quit completely (got into recovery from food/sugar addiction via OA). If I fall off the wagon, which I have a few times, the effect is noticeable on my skin etc, even with small amounts.

One thing that was noticeable: I've had problems all my adult life getting my hair to stand up on top - always going flat, an ongoing battle. Cut out the sugar and voila, my hair sits up perfectly normally on top!

But, yes, if I eat sugar I can see it in my complexion, mood, thinking (clogged up brain..) pretty much straight away ie that day.

Sorry for multiple posts - I've had digestive issues for as long as I can remember. I now don't eat cane sugar (100%), gluten (mostly) and dairy (mostly). It's a pain - but nothing like as much of a pain as all the digestive issues used to be when I was eating that stuff.

Thanks for your insight :)

It seems unfortunate that some people can eat tons of sugar without it ever affecting their skin but for others, even a tiny bit can cause a skin issue.

I cut out all cakes, biscuits, chocolate, sweets and ice cream. Didn’t cut out sugars added to other things - too complicated!

I quit sugar for 6 months, it literally took years off me! Not just clearer skin but brighter and just 'younger' looking. I still eat quite low carb and hardly eat any sugars and when I do, I feel it. I gave up dairy in June (ethical reasons) and that has also made a significant impact on my face, it's very odd because it's not one defining thing but I just feel 'better'. I've been low carbing for over 18 months now so even my 'high carb' days are very low compared to average. I can tell when I've eaten too much sugar/carbs or had accidental dairy because my stomach is in bits and I get terribly bloated (you know that 'food baby' distended stomach look 5 months pregnant look? )

Didn’t notice any skin benefits, but definitely improved digestion (no gas or heartburn) on going low carb.

I’m starting today. Last 6 months my skin has been awful. I eat so much sugar it’s ridiculous. Aiming to massively reduce my intake starting today