A woman shares how her skin looks 2 weeks after giving up sugar, 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 to experience both physical and mental improvements.

On April 13, the health and fitness influencer shared a video showing her transformation that has amassed 2.3 million views on TikTok.

she said Newsweek: “After giving up added sugar, I noticed increased energy levels, improved mood, reduced anxiety, better sleep quality, clearer, brighter skin, and I don’t have acne now.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that anyone over the age of two should keep sugars to less than 10 percent of total daily calories. Therefore, 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 each day, which is about twice the recommended limit.

Henriques, who uses the handle @tiffanyhenriquesfit, said Newsweek who used to consume sugar daily by eating cookies, ice cream and other processed foods.

He initially stopped consuming the products in January to improve his gut health. However, breaking a bad habit is often easier said than done. Research has found that sugar’s effects on the brain and behavior closely resemble those of addictive drugs due to its effect on the brain’s natural chemicals involved in pleasure.

Henriques recently made another attempt to get out, this time documenting the process with a video. On March 30, her video showed her dull skin, marked 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: “Along with the physical benefits, I have experienced mental clarity, reduced brain fog, and an overall improvement in my cognitive function.

“Also, I no longer have gut health issues or cramps.”

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

Henriques has replaced his previous diet with natural foods.

She said: “I prefer fruits, vegetables, lean proteins like chicken and healthy ingredients. I still enjoy natural sweeteners like honey, nuts 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 off the 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 less longevity you will have.

“Therefore, 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 could be masking a mineral deficiency, such as a lack of magnesium. He explained that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and plays a vital role in muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and energy and protein production.

He also highlights how “comfort foods are loaded with sugar,” but the short-term impact of dopamine can cause inflammation in the body.

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

Henriques’ lifestyle change seems to have 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, I’m convinced.”

Speaking from experience, a third said: “Keep it up!!! I’ve cut out sugar completely for the past 10 years! The results are obvious.”

Are there any health issues you are concerned about? Let us know at health@newsweek.com. We can ask the experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.