Why do you feel thirsty right after eating sugar? (2024)

Here's what you should drink to quench your thirst.

By India Today Web Desk: How often have you felt immensely thirsty after treating yourself to a delicious dessert? Have you wondered why that happens literally every time you eat sugar?

According to Dr Caroline Apovian, a professor at the Boston University School of Medicine, it is because of a spike in one's blood-sugar levels, when you consume something sweet.

Sugar, after reaching our stomach, flows into our bloodstream. This makes the body cells release water to restore balance in the blood. As cells lose their water, they send signals to the brain, which, in turn, induces the urge to drink.

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''Since glucose is absorbed by the gut and into the bloodstream fairly fast, you might feel thirsty within five or ten minutes,'' Apovian was quoted as saying by Time.

Although many of us might crave a sweet beverage after the sugar-intake, Apovian has strongly advised against the idea. The ideal way to quench sugar-induced thirst is by drinking a glass of water, she said. ''You're not only confusing your energy balance system by putting more sugar into your body, but also getting a load of empty calories," explained Apovian.

So, the next time you feel thirsty after dessert, pick up a glass of water instead of a glass of aerated beverage or alcohol.