Woman shares what skin looks like two weeks after quitting sugar and processed foods

When Tiffany Henriques decided to give up sugar and processed foods, she never expected to reap the benefits so quickly.

But after just two weeks, the 25-year-old from Bergen County, New Jersey, began experiencing both physical and mental improvements.

On April 13, the health and fitness influencer shared a video showcasing her transformation, which has racked up 2.3 million views on TikTok.

She said Newsweek: “After I stopped adding sugar, I noticed an increase in energy levels, an improvement in my mood, reduced anxiety, improved sleep quality, clearer and more radiant skin, and now I have no acne.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that everyone over the age of two should limit sugars to less than 10 percent of their total daily calories. So if an adult consumes 2,000 calories per day, no more than 200 calories should come from added sugars.

However, the American Heart Association (AHA) states that the average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day, which is about double the recommended limit.

Henriques, who goes by the handle @tiffanyhenriquesfit, shared Newsweek that she consumed sugar daily by eating cookies, ice cream and other processed foods.

She initially stopped consuming the products in January in an effort to improve her gut health. However, breaking a bad habit is often easier said than done. Research has shown that sugar’s effects on the brain and behavior are very similar to those of addictive drugs due to its effect on the natural brain chemicals involved in pleasure.

Henriques recently made another attempt to quit, this time documenting the process with a video. On March 30, her video showed her skin looking dull, with pimples and bags under her eyes. A recent clip shows her with a glowing complexion.

An excerpt from the clip’s caption states that it was “(the) best decision ever.”

She said Newsweek: “In addition to the physical benefits, I have experienced mental clarity, less brain fog, and an overall improvement in my cognitive function.

“Plus, I no longer experience gut health issues or cramps.”

The CDC states that high blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes. They can also lead to gastroparesis, a condition that affects the way you digest your food and damages nerves and slows or stops stomach muscles, causing food to stay in the stomach longer than normal. Diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis.

Henriques has replaced her previous diet with natural foods.

She said, “I prioritize fruits, vegetables, lean proteins like chicken and healthy ingredients. I still enjoy natural sweeteners like honey, dried fruits like mango and dates, while incorporating them into a balanced diet.”

Newsweek contacted Dr. Daryl Gioffre, functional nutritionist, gut health expert and author of Get rid of your sugar.

He said: “Sugar is not an essential fuel like protein and fat, and the body does not need sugar to function. In fact, the more sugar you eat, the shorter your lifespan will be.

“That’s why a low-sugar diet is the preferred source of fuel and energy for all ages.”

Gioffre explained that many people don’t realize that sugar cravings can mask mineral deficiencies, such as magnesium deficiency. He explained that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and plays a crucial role in muscle and nerve function, blood glucose regulation and energy and protein production.

He also emphasizes that “comfort foods are packed with sugar,” but the short-term dopamine hit can lead to inflammation in the body.

“The more sugar you eat, the more you burn for energy, and therefore the more sugar you crave. It literally becomes a vicious cycle, feeding the sugar addiction,” he added.

It seems Henriques’ lifestyle change has influenced many online, and at the time of writing the clip had amassed 230,200 likes.

“Maybe this is my sign,” said one user.

Another said: “Okay, that’s it, I’m convinced.”

A third said from experience: “Keep going!!! I’ve cut sugar completely over the last ten years! The results are clear.”

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