In this episode, we dive deep into a sneaky culprit that could be sabotaging all your hard work: sugar overload. Even if you're steering clear of obvious sweets, hidden sugars might be sneaking into your diet from unsuspecting sources, leaving you feeling drained, struggling with cravings, and frustrated with stubborn weight that just won’t budge. Could sugar be the reason behind your energy roller coaster and those nagging mood swings? We’re uncovering how this sweet stuff can wreak havoc on your body’s energy balance, and what you can do about it. You’ll learn about the science behind sugar addiction and its surprising effects on brain chemistry, cravings, and your body’s ability to burn fat. We’re breaking down how excess sugar leads to insulin resistance, making weight loss feel impossible despite your best efforts. Plus, we’ll explore the troubling link between sugar and mood disorders, acne, aging skin, and even your immune system’s ability to fight off colds and infections. Join me as I share a personal story that really hits home, involving my son and a pound of M&Ms—trust me, it's a lesson every parent needs to hear! Whether you’re dealing with persistent cravings, energy crashes, or just can’t seem to lose that stubborn belly fat, this episode is packed with insights that could change the way you think about sugar. Don’t miss out—tune in to find out how to kick the sugar habit for good and start seeing the results you deserve.  FULL show notes: https://www.jjvirgin.com/sugaroverload Download my FREE Best Rest Sleep Cheat Sheet: https://jjvirgin.com/sleep Sugar Impact Diet: https://reignitewellness.com/products/sugar-impact-diet-paperback-book Study: Effects of free access to sugar solutions on the control of energy intake: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87559129.2016.1149863 Study: Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/ Study: Today's obesity epidemic may have been caused by childhood sugar intake decades ago: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190923164534.htm Study: Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: prospective findings from the Whitehall II study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05649-7 Study: Association Between Adult Acne and Dietary Behaviors: Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32520303/ Study: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with abdominal fat partitioning in healthy adults: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24944282/ Study: Doctors warn that sugar can temporarily weaken your immune system: https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/sugar-can-lower-your-immune-system/  Episode Sponsors:  Try Timeline: https://www.timelinenutrition.com/shop?rfsn=7082975.4b75243 Use code JJ10 for 10% off all products Go to qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS to try Qualia risk-free for up to 100 days and code VIRGINWELLNESS for an additional 15% off   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices