Top 10 Truths About Skipping Sugar in Midlife

Reduces Inflammation (So Long, Creaky Joints)
Sugar is a major inflammation culprit, leading to elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines that can worsen joint pain and arthritic conditions and midlife doesn’t need any extra aches and pains. Cutting it out can ease joint pain and other nagging issues we didn’t sign up for! 

Keeps Energy Stable (No More 3 PM Slumps) Sugar’s quick high isn’t worth the crash.  Sugar causes rapid blood glucose spikes followed by a sharp drop, which leads to energy crashes. By skipping sugar, insulin levels remain more stable, providing consistent energy and avoiding the body’s stress response to low blood sugar that can zap our energy reserves. Skipping it helps keep our energy steady throughout the day—no more afternoon cravings for sweets or slump feeling like we need to go to bed at 8pm.

Supports Hormone Balance (Midlife Mood or HEAT Swings Don’t Need Extra Help)  Sugar disrupts insulin regulation, leading to imbalances in other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. Stable blood sugar minimizes insulin fluctuations, which helps keep cortisol (the stress hormone) in check and supports more balanced hormones supporting our mood and energy.  Staying off sugar keeps things a bit more balanced, we all need that!

Boosts Brain Health (Bye, Brain Fog)
Sugar can cloud our brains and add to memory lapses. Sugar can impair memory by promoting insulin resistance in the brain and increasing oxidative stress.  Avoiding sugar helps protect neurons from damage, keeping the brain clearer and reducing brain fog so we’re not struggling with memory lapses.  Avoiding it helps keep the mind clear, so we’re not searching for our glasses…that we’re already wearing.

Helps with Weight Management (The Midlife Mystery Weight)
Sugar consumption increases insulin production, which promotes fat storage, especially in the belly and hip area. By reducing sugar, insulin spikes are minimized, making it easier to avoid those midlife pounds that appear as metabolism naturally slows down along with our hormone changes.  As metabolism slows, cutting back on sugar makes it easier to avoid those surprise pounds that seem to show up uninvited.  Be sure to add strength training to your program.

Improves Skin Health (Who Knew, Right?… We all remember what it did when we were teenagers)
Sugar can actually speed up skin aging by breaking down collagen. Sugar accelerates aging by binding to collagen in a process called glycation, weakening skin elasticity and firmness. Cutting back on sugar helps preserve collagen, keeping skin firmer and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Reducing sugar helps keep skin a bit firmer and slows down those extra fine lines.  Add a good collagen supplement to our daily program. My favorite: 

Supports Heart Health (Time to Love Our Hearts Back)
Sugar increases triglycerides, raising heart disease risk—just when heart health matters most. Sugar raises triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol), which increases the risk of heart disease.  Avoiding sugar reduces blood lipid levels, supports healthier arteries, and reduces strain on the cardiovascular system.  Skipping it is one way to show your heart some love.

Strengthens the Immune System (Extra Resilience)
Sugar can weaken immunity, and we need all the defense we can get in life considering all of the toxins affecting our systems from herbicides and products. Sugar’s rapid highs and lows disrupt neurotransmitter balance, including serotonin and dopamine, which can lead to irritability and mood swings. Reducing sugar promotes more stable neurotransmitter levels, supporting a steadier and more positive mood. Reducing sugar helps keep us stable and healthy ready for anything that comes our way.

Balances Mood (One Less Reason for Irritability)
Sugar’s highs and lows don’t do our moods any favors. Sugar’s rapid highs and lows disrupt neurotransmitter balance, including serotonin and dopamine, which can lead to irritability and mood swings. Reducing sugar promotes more stable neurotransmitter levels, supporting a steadier and more positive mood.  Believe me, it’s worth it—many of my clients who have cut back on sugar report significant improvements in their overall well-being.

Reduces Diabetes Risk (Because We’re Sweet Enough)
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases in midlife. Midlife often brings a natural reduction in insulin sensitivity. By avoiding sugar, we keep blood glucose levels more stable, reducing the risk of insulin resistance and, subsequently, type 2 diabetes, which often becomes a heightened concern in midlife.  Avoiding sugar helps keep blood sugar stable and supports long-term health, so we can stay sweet the healthy way.