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Sweet Thang: Here's How Sugar Could Be Ruining Your Sex Life
I once had a friend who told me that she would take a hot fudge sundae over sex any day…chile, I promise you that I absolutely cannot relate — and one of my favorite things in life is ice cream!
Anyway, her statement recently came back to my mind, and it got me thinking: I wonder how many people find themselves either preferring sugary stuff over sex or not having much of a drive for sex at all — and they don’t even get that it’s (eh hem) actually because sugar is causing all kinds of drama to their system to the point where their libido is directly suffering because of it.
If you think I’m doing the most by saying that, take a moment to check out 10 ways that science has proven that sugar can be a real cock blocker (pun very much so intended) when it comes to you having a truly fulfilling sex life.
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1. Too Much Sugar Drains Your Energy
If you’re someone who believes that coffee with a few sugar cubes (or sugar packs) is what gets you through the day, tell me something: how does it make you feel at night? Don’t be fooled: if there is one thing that caffeine and sugar have in common, it’s the fact that they can spike your blood sugar one minute and then totally tank it the next. Hmm, maybe that’s the real reason why you can’t muster up enough “fuel” for sex whenever you crawl into bed (if you drink more than 4-5 cups a day, that definitely could be the culprit. Real talk).
2. Too Much Sugar Stresses You Out
Sugar causes inflammation. When it comes to sex, that can be a problem because inflammation and stress are directly linked to one another, and stress is not your body’s friend on any level. In fact, sexually, cortisol (your body’s stress hormone) works to suppress your sex hormones and that can keep your libido from thriving. Goodness, wouldn’t you rather go without dessert sometimes and up your circumstances of using sex as a stress reliever or eat those donuts and have them stress you to the point of not wanting sex much at all?
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3. Too Much Sugar Can Make You Moody
Yes, there is such a thing as being a sugar addict (check out “Ever Wonder If You've Got A Low-Key Sugar Addiction?”). Some of the backstory on it is sugar has a way of stimulating your endorphins (your “feel good” hormones) when you first consume it; then, once the “high” wears off, you can end up feeling moody and irritable — until you eat some more sugar (see the cycle?). What’s really wild about all of this is that, at the same time, sugar has a way of suppressing your serotonin levels. Since it’s the chemical in your brain that helps you to sleep and since it also is essential when it comes to maintaining your sex drive…why would you want to do anything that intentionally messes with it? #uhuh
4. Too Much Sugar Lowers Testosterone Levels
Unless you just weren’t listening at all in any of your high school science classes, you probably already know that testosterone plays a huge role in the sex drive of a man (it actually helps us out too, for the record; in fact, women produce three times more of it before menopause than after). Meanwhile, sugar? It’s a testosterone hater. For instance, some studies show that consuming a lot of sugary drinks can cause testosterone levels to drop. Others even say that it can wreak havoc on PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and cause your hormone (including your sex hormone) levels to be all over the place.
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5. Too Much Sugar Feeds Yeast
Because I have a fungal sensitivity, something that I have to stay on top of is proactively avoiding yeast infections; like it or not, that means I have to watch my sugar consumption. What’s the connection? Well, since sugar can weaken my immunity and also since the “bad bacteria” that dwell along with the “good bacteria” that’s in my vagina like to feed off of sugar (which ultimately only makes a yeast infection worse), this means that too much candy can have my vagina itching and irritated — and who wants to feel that during sex (or pass a yeast infection on to their partner)?
6. Too Much Sugar Can Make You Dry
If you happen to be a diabetic, you probably already know that having high levels of sugar can also affect your natural lubrication. That’s because too much sugar, long-term, can end up damaging the blood vessels and nerves that are in your vagina — including the ones that help you to produce the lubrication that you need for sex to feel enjoyable. Not to mention that the damaged vessels and nerves can decrease stimulation, which can also dry you up. Pretty wild, right? Yeah, I know.
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7. Too Much Sugar Can Make It Harder to Orgasm
Here’s something that may surprise you. Did you know that a diabetic woman (who requires insulin) actually has an 80 percent more challenging time climaxing than women who don’t have diabetes? What it all boils down to is your neurovascular system plays a highly significant role in how aroused you get — and stay. And since high blood sugar levels can damage your nervous system…now you can see why you might want to even watch your “white foods” intake (since your body ultimately turns that into sugar, too).
8. Too Much Sugar Can Jack Your Breath Up
Listen, maybe y’all can do it, but I can’t. What is “it”? Kissing someone who has jacked-up breath (eww). And when someone eats a lot of sugar, it increases their chances of becoming that person. Why? The gist is that when you consume foods that have a lot of sugar (especially processed sugar) in them, that can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth which can ultimately lead to stank breath. And since there are studies to support that kissing ultimately makes sex better (because it causes you to feel closer to your partner) — why would you want to betray yourself of that?
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9. Too Much Sugar Can Affect How You Process Things Emotionally
One time, because I was curious, I did some research on how sugar affects the brain. There are a few ways, actually; however, what stood out to me, when it comes to sex specifically, is that it can lead to inflammation, and sugar can affect your memory and your attention span. That said, if there’s one thing that I try to promote, as often as possible, when it comes to sex, it’s being as mindful and present as possible during copulation (check out “Mental Foreplay Hacks That Ultimately Takes Intercourse To New Levels” and “How About Having A 'Mindful Orgasm' Tonight?”) — I mean, since the brain is the biggest sex organ that we have, after all.
10. Too Much Sugar Can Make It Hard for Him to Maintain an Erection
Last one. I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve had who are totally up in arms, and it’s because their man can’t maintain a strong erection. Why? Because his blood pressure is high. Why? Because he won’t put the sugar down. Yep. Something else that (too much) sugar has the ability to do is mess with a man’s blood circulation, and if his testosterone levels are already low — you could end up with a limp situation on your hands (pun intended and no pun intended).
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Was this meant to terrify you when it comes to sex? Absolutely not. According to the American Heart Association, as long as men consume around nine teaspoons and we take in around six per day, it’s smooth sailing. The main thing to keep in mind is moderation is key — and when it comes to this country and its sugar intake, many struggle with that.
And their sex life is probably suffering because of it. Straight up.
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Mariee Revere On Her History-Making Million-Dollar Sales And The Future Of MoonXCosmetics
If the name Mariee Revere sounds familiar, it's probably because you heard of her beauty and skincare brand, MoonXCosmetics, or you may have heard about her history-making achievement of making $1.8 million in less than eight minutes. But before starting her million-dollar brand, Mariee was just a teenager trying to cure her acne.
While she grew up in the skincare capital of the world, South Korea, Mariee didn't really experience breakouts until her senior year of high school. Like many people who get their first breakout, she didn't know what to do, and there weren't many products out there at that time. So she decided to experiment. What she didn't know was that what she came up with would ultimately be her ticket to success.
"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
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When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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