Diet With No Caffeine Or Sugar For 15 Days

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 72 million U.S. adults are overweight. One factor contributing to this is the sugary drinks and snacks that are consumed in U.S. homes and workplaces. When it comes to sugar-filled drinks, caffeine also plays a role because many energy drinks, coffees and sodas push people well above the recommended daily allowances of sugar and caffeine.

Function of Sugar

Sugars of all kinds are used by the body for energy. When sugar is digested it is broken down in the digestive system where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream as glucose. The body releases a substance called insulin which allows the glucose to be used by body for energy. Unfortunately, refined sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream quite quickly, which makes it difficult for the body to keep up with insulin to balance the level of glucose in the bloodstream and keep it at a healthy level.

Function of Caffeine

Caffeine is a common ingredient in drinks ranging from sodas to energy drinks. Caffeine can also be found in gums and candies. Caffeine is similar to a body chemical called adenosine, which is responsible for helping the body relax or fall asleep by working on nerve signals. Because caffeine is so similar to adenosine, it is able to bind with adenosine receptors in the brain. With the receptors blocked, adenosine can no longer cause its effects, resulting in nerve signals speeding up instead of slowing down.

Benefits of No Caffeine

The use of caffeine can cause side effects that vary depending on your tolerance for the drug. Side effects of caffeine can include higher blood pressure and faster heart rate, which might affect those who are already suffering from cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure. According to MayoClinic.com, caffeine can raise your diastolic blood pressure by 4 to 13 millimeters of mercury, and your systolic blood pressure by 3 to 14 millimeters of mercury. Lowering caffeine can help lower these numbers. Caffeine can also cause irritability and insomnia, both of which can be treated by cutting caffeine from your diet.

Benefits of No Sugar

Refined sugars place a high level of calories in only a small amount of food. This increases your overall calorie intake, which can contribute to obesity. Refined sugars also contribute to dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities. Refined sugars also can negatively affect your blood sugar levels, contributing to health problems like diabetes.

Potential Side Effects of Removal

Stopping the use of sugar and caffeine may result in certain side effects or withdrawal symptoms. With caffeine, withdrawal can occur within 12 to 24 hours of your last intake of the substance, suggests the American Heart Association. Withdrawal symptoms for caffeine can range from irritability and tiredness to headaches, anxiety and depression. With sugar, withdrawal may not be as intense, but may still present effects such as cravings for sweets that vary in intensity depending on your typical regular sugar intake before cutting sugar out of your diet.