Sugar Withdrawal Timeline: What Really Happens
Compiled from cited sources · not yet medically reviewedUpdated 3 sources
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For information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before stopping or changing any medication. Medical disclaimer
Quick answer
There’s very little research on “sugar withdrawal”. In one small study of teenagers who stopped sugary drinks for 3 days, cravings, headaches and lower mood were strongest on days 1 and 2. Nobody has studied what happens after day 3, and scientists still debate whether sugar is addictive in humans.
Added sugar withdrawal timeline at a glance
When did you last use or take it?
This places the typical ranges from this article's sources on your date. It is not a prediction or a diagnosis, and being past a phase does not mean symptoms or risks are over.
A rough guide from published sources, not medical advice. Everyone is different.
| Phase | When | What you may feel | Severity | Red flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First days | Day 1 to 2 | Cravings for sugary drinks; Headache; Lower motivation and contentment; Harder to concentrate; Feeling less well overall | Mild | Shakiness, sweating or confusion, especially if you take diabetes medicine (could be low blood sugar) |
| Easing | Day 3 | In the study, symptoms were less pronounced by day 3 | Mild | — |
| Unknown | After day 3 | Not studied yet | Unknown | — |
Print a daily symptom log for this timeline · My quit tracker
Symptoms, phase by phase
In a 2019 study published in Appetite (Falbe et al.), 25 overweight or obese teenagers who usually drank 3 or more sugary drinks a day drank only plain water or plain milk for 3 days. They reported more cravings and headaches and less motivation, contentment, concentration and well-being, most noticeably on days 1 and 2. Results were similar in teens who had little caffeine, which suggests caffeine wasn’t the only cause. It’s a small study, so treat it as a first look rather than the final word.
First days: Day 1 to 2
- Cravings for sugary drinks
- Headache
- Lower motivation and contentment
- Harder to concentrate
- Feeling less well overall
Easing: Day 3
- In the study, symptoms were less pronounced by day 3
Unknown: After day 3
- Not studied yet
What makes withdrawal longer or shorter
- Caffeine. Many sugary drinks contain caffeine. Quitting them can also cause caffeine withdrawal, which has its own timeline.
- How much sugar you were having. The study included teens with high sugary-drink intake.
- The evidence itself. A 2016 review (Westwater et al.) found little evidence to support sugar addiction in humans.
When to see a doctor or get help now
- You have diabetes or take medicine that lowers blood sugar and plan to change your diet. Your doses may need adjusting.
- You have shakiness, sweating, confusion or fainting.
- You’re making big diet changes and are pregnant or have an eating disorder history.
Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.
Tapering
Cutting back gradually (for example, one fewer sugary drink every few days) may be easier than stopping all at once, especially if your drinks contain caffeine.
Tips for getting through it
- Swap in water, sparkling water or unsweetened drinks
- Cut back on caffeinated sugary drinks slowly to avoid caffeine headaches
- Plan for your usual craving times
Frequently asked questions
How long does sugar withdrawal last?
Nobody knows for sure. In the one study, symptoms were strongest on days 1 and 2 of a 3-day break. There’s no research on what happens after that.
Is sugar addictive?
It’s debated. A 2016 review found little evidence for sugar addiction in humans.
Next steps
- Track your dayEnter when you stopped to see where you are on the timeline
- Combine timelinesAdd other things you are stopping and see them on one chart
- Talk to othersAsk questions on our community forum (peer support, not medical advice)
- Read nextCaffeine Withdrawal Timeline: Day by Day
- Get helpFree, confidential helplines and when to see a doctor
Talk to others going through it. Share your experience or ask questions on the Caffeine & Sugar board in our community forum. Forum posts are personal experiences, not medical advice. Please read the community guidelines.
Related timelines
- Caffeine Withdrawal Timeline: Day by Day
- Energy Drink Withdrawal Timeline
- How Long Does a Caffeine Withdrawal Headache Last?
- Diet Soda and Artificial Sweetener Withdrawal
Sources
- Falbe J, et al. Potentially Addictive Properties of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Adolescents. Appetite. 2019
- Westwater ML, Fletcher PC, Ziauddeen H. Sugar addiction: the state of the science. Eur J Nutr. 2016
- StatPearls: Caffeine Withdrawal (NCBI Bookshelf)
Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.
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