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Posted in Mind/Body/Spirit by Rocky Mountain Oils

Can Essential Oils Help During a Sugar Detox?

Have you heard of a sugar detox? If not, it’s exactly what it sounds like!

You cut all added sugars out of your diet. If that sounds like a stretch, you’re not alone, but the benefits of kicking sugar might be worth skipping dessert for! 

A Harvard study found the average American consumes the equivalent of 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, 3x what’s recommended by the American Heart Association.

Over the years, our culture’s diet has become more and more sugar-heavy. There seems to be added sugars everywhere we turn, which plays a part in the rise of obesity and increased risk of diabetes in Americans. Dr. Joel Fuhrman, the author of The End of Dieting, went as far as saying consuming too much sugar is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. In recent years, research has shown that eating too much sugar may increase your risk for mood disorders, including depression. 

Successfully completing a sugar detox might be easy for some, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth you’ll probably run into some tough moments. Don’t despair! If you choose to do this detox, there are ways to make it easier, which we’ll get into a little later. First, we want to go over why quitting sugar can be so great for your health and what ingredients to look out for, and then we’ll talk about setting yourself up for success.

Why Do a Sugar Detox?

From pasta sauce to yogurt to fruit juice, sugar seems like it’s hiding everywhere. The more sugar we consume, the greater the toll on our health. Sugar consumption is linked to a myriad of medical conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even depression. When you cut it out of your diet, your body and mind will thank you! A sugar-free diet can lead to a healthier weight, lower cholesterol, improved mental state, and reduced disease risk. No wonder why so many people are giving sugar the boot!

Sugar’s Many Names

When you’re looking at the ingredient labels at the grocery store, chances are you’ll read some you can’t even pronounce, much less understand what they are. Sugar often goes by misleading names, sneaking its way into your diet. Here’s a list of some of its lesser-known names:

  • Evaporated cane juice
  • High-fructose corn syrup
  • Corn syrup
  • Fruit juice concentrate
  • Coconut palm sugar
  • Agave
  • Barley malt syrup
  • Maltodextrin
  • Dextrose 
  • Fructose
  • Galactose
  • Glucose
  • Lactose
  • Maltose
  • Sucrose

Now that you know the health benefits of cutting out sugar and the ingredients to look out for, how can you thrive during your detox? 

Set Yourself Up for Success

To start off on the right foot, be sure to eat healthy, unprocessed foods and include leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, and colorful veggies in your diet. Gather up all the sweets and sodas in your home and donate them to a food bank, so you’re not tempted to sneak a Snickers bar or Coke. You may also want to consider taking a glutamine supplement, an amino acid found in protein that helps regulate blood sugars.

Here are a few more ways to rock your sugar detox:

Stay Hydrated

Make a concerted effort to drink plenty of water since water helps flush toxins out of your body. To help your H2O taste a little more interesting, try adding a few slices of lemon or cucumber.

Snack on Fresh Fruit

Fruits are rich in natural sugars, making them great alternatives to sweets and desserts. Instead of reaching for the Ben & Jerry’s after dinner, opt for a bowl of pineapple, mango, blueberries, or whatever your favorite fruit is. As we said, fruit contains natural sugars, so you'll need to skip the fruit if you want to go 100% sugar-free.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is super important, especially during a sugar detox. Insufficient sleep can reduce insulin sensitivity, which leads to unstable blood sugar. This, in turn, can make your body crave sweets and carbs to increase your blood sugar. This is not helpful when you’re trying to avoid sugar altogether! Try diffusing Tranquility around bedtime to promote deep, restful sleep.

Combat Withdrawal Symptoms

Sugar is addictive. For many people, their brain reacts to sugar similarly to how it would react to drugs and alcohol. So, when you first cut sugar from your diet, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms. Just know you might feel uncomfortable and tired for the first few days, but stick in there! To help combat the fatigue and ease feelings of anxiety, try diffusing Energize. The blend consists of Lime and Clove Bud essential oils, and it helps stimulate the mind and promotes a sense of well-being. Once you get past the initial discomfort, you’ll start to notice you have more energy and will begin seeing the benefits of your lifestyle change.

Essential Oils to Use During a Sugar Detox

Grapefruit

This EO is arguably one of the most effective oils when it comes to kicking sugar. For many, inhaling Grapefruit reduces feelings of hunger, quells cravings for sweets, and promotes a positive mindset so they can stick to the diet. Other citrus essential oils like Lemon, Lime, and Orange have similar benefits. Diffuse Grapefruit around mealtimes to reduce your appetite for sugar.

Peppermint

Peppermint can help you feel more full than you actually are, reducing any desire for sweets you might have. It also helps you focus and stay motivated, which can boost your resolve. Sniff Peppermint straight from the bottle or mix it with a carrier oil and apply it behind your ears to keep thoughts of cookies and cakes at bay.

Cinnamon Bark

With its spicy, earthy scent and comforting effect, Cinnamon Bark can help balance blood sugar and is often used as an appetite suppressor. It also helps support your body’s immune system, promotes circulation, and can be used to calm an upset stomach. Add 2-3 drops to a personal diffuser for instant relief.

At Peace

Diets are almost never easy and tend to cause stress at times. Combat worry and unease with At Peace. This blend of Litsea Cubeba, Lime, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, and Tangerine work together to uplift the mood, keeping you relaxed, calm, and centered. Diffuse 5-10 drops for support throughout the day.

Need a Helping Hand?


If you’d like more guidance on using essential oils for support during your sugar detox, or if you have any other questions, Rocky Mountain Oils is here to help! Our experienced, knowledgeable customer experience team can walk you through which oils you’ll get the most benefits from based on your individual needs. Contact us today at 1 (866) 493-8159 or visit our website to send us a chat. We look forward to helping you on your journey!