It might sound like a no-brainer that most people who stop eating sugar will end up healthier as a result. But what exactly goes on inside our bodies once we stop supplying our bodies with sugar?

Dr Saurabh Sethi claims that cutting out sugar will help the body in more ways than one. In addition to weight loss and a lower risk of developing tooth decay, he said that liver fat levels start to drop, helping heal fatty livers.

He added: “Kidney function improves, especially if you are insulin-resistant or pre-diabetic. Inflammation in your arteries goes down, which can benefit your heart.”

Beyond physical changes, your mental state might improve, too. Dr Sethi claims that thinking may become clearer with higher levels of focus achieved more easily.

The gut doctor, who was educated at Harvard University, added: “Your immune system gets stronger because sugar weakens white blood cells, and you will retain more key minerals like magnesium, calcium, and zinc.”

Excessive sugar consumption is linked to an increased risk of certain health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Cutting out added sugar may also enhance skin health. Studies have linked high added sugar consumption to accelerated skin ageing.

If you cut out added sugar for 30 days, only to return to a diet that’s high in added sugar, the benefits will be lost. Anyone considering this but has concerns should speak with their GP before making any major dietary changes. An expert who is aware of your specific medical history can best advise how (or if) you should do something like this.

With any restrictive diet, some people may find that they develop an unhealthy preoccupation with healthy food or ‘harmful food rules’ around things they used to enjoy. People who have eating disorders may be more likely to experience this.

How much sugar is safe to eat?

According to the NHS, adults in the UK “should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day”. This level is lower for children, ranging between 10g and 24g depending on their age.

Free sugars are found in foods such as sweets, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and some fizzy drinks and juice drinks. These are the sugary foods we should cut down on.

Look at information on nutrition labels and ingredients lists to help reduce your intake of free sugars. Sugars also occur naturally in foods such as fruit, vegetables and milk, but we do not need to cut down as much on these types of sugars, the NHS suggests.

Is it really possible to avoid sugar for a whole month?

It is possible to go 30 days without consuming sugar – as long as you have the willpower. Some people take part in ‘no sugar’ challenges to reduce their intake and stay motivated.

In these cases, people tend to avoid added sugar as opposed to the natural forms of sugar found in almost all fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Healthline lists a few options to consider in your diet if you are cutting out sugar for a while.

People limiting or abstaining from sugars are encouraged to fill up on whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as:

• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, sweet potatoes
• Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, grapes, cherries, grapefruit
• Proteins: chicken, fish, beef, tofu, eggs
• Healthy fat sources: egg yolks, avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, unsweetened yogurt
• Complex carb sources: beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, brown rice
• Unsweetened beverages: water, sparkling water, unsweetened coffee, tea