How Long Does A Sugar Rush Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: About 30 To 40 Minutes 

Sugar rush is a term used to describe the sudden spike in blood sugar levels after eating sugary foods. The body needs some time to process this extra influx of glucose, releasing insulin to help regulate one’s blood sugars for a while. 

After 30 to 40 minutes, most people’s bodies return to normal, and they may be “sugar-buzzed” but not necessarily feeling hungry. 

This can be dangerous if one doesn’t know what’s happening because high levels of insulin signal the brain for the need for more energy. One can feel sleepy or lethargic, which makes completing tasks very difficult.

How Long Does A Sugar Rush Last?

A sugar rush lasts for about 30 to 40 minutes. The high produced by eating sugars, especially simple carbohydrates like sugars and white flour products, is called the “sugar rush” because of its sudden onset and short duration. 

The body doesn’t need much glucose to function – so it can store what it does need in the liver and muscles as fat cells until one eats again. 

That’s why people who are overweight or obese have a harder time regulating their blood sugar levels than those of normal weight.

A sugar rush is a feeling of euphoria and excitement that one experiences after eating a large sugar. Some of the symptoms of a sugar rush include:

1. Feeling energetic and hyperactive
2. Feeling happy and excited
3. Having a decreased sense of judgment
4. Having a decreased sense of inhibition

There are a few ways to control the sugar rush: 

1. Eat slowly and deliberately, paying attention to the body’s hunger and fullness signals.
2. This helps one feel more in control of how much food they’re eating and when to stop eating. 
3. Avoid foods that cause spikes in blood sugar (e.g., some fruits, raw vegetables). 
4. Eating small portions; if one gets a spike in blood sugar, the body will release insulin to bring down the levels of sugar in the bloodstream again- so having too big a meal can have negative effects on our health long term. 
5. Make sure any snack eaten between meals is balanced with protein and fiber. 

Why Would Sugar Rush Last So Long?

When one consumes sugar, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and goes to work immediately. The sugar causes one’s blood glucose levels to spike, and the pancreas responds by releasing insulin. This spike in blood sugar levels causes a surge of adrenaline, which gives one that “rush” feeling.

Insulin helps the sugar get into the cells, which can be used for energy. As the sugar rush subsides, the blood glucose levels fall again. This can cause a feeling of fatigue or tiredness.

The sugar rush lasts for about 30 to 40 minutes, but it can last for up to two hours if one eats a large amount of candy or drinks a lot of soda. The high sugar levels in one blood can also damage the cells and increase the risk of developing diabetes and other health problems.

One can feel tired after a sugar rush. Sugar rushes are followed by a crash soon afterward, so the cycle goes like this: rush-crash-repeat.

Sugar is an addictive drug to some people because it’s associated with feelings of pleasure and reward, which are characteristic of addiction (see also dopamine). 

However, all that happens is that the cells get flooded with insulin – which turns off their ability to uptake oxygen, causes them to store energy as fat instead of burning it up for energy (which would prevent weight gain), and makes them crave more sugar.

Conclusion

The sugar rushes one experiences from eating candy or drinking soda are caused by the release of glucose and fructose into one’s bloodstream. These sugars are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, and they cause a spike in one’s blood sugar levels. 

Although it’s good to have some sugar in the diet, one doesn’t need much. Sugar provides quick energy and can be helpful for athletes or people who are very active. However, most Americans eat more sugar than they need, which can lead to health problems.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763418309175 
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421510004064