Is sugar secretly weakening your immune system? 🤧
by Rebekah Rizzo, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Center for Nutritional Healing
As the seasons shift to cooler weather, we start seeing the usual: sniffles, sore throats, and immune systems working overtime. But here’s something many people don’t realize:
Sugar — even in small amounts — can quietly suppress the immune system for up to 4–5 hours.
So if you’re adding something sweet to your morning coffee… having a snack bar in the afternoon… and ending the day with dessert — your immune system could be struggling to keep up all day long. That’s the opposite of what we want during a season when your immune system should be standing guard.
The frustrating part? Sugar hides in places you'd never expect — like pasta sauces, salad dressings, “healthy” yogurts, and even sandwich bread. It adds up fast, even when you’re not reaching for dessert.
BETTER SWEETENER SWAPS
Maple SyrupBaking, oatmeal, marinadesWarm and flavorful, but still raises blood sugar — a better choice than refined sugar when used sparingly.
Raw HoneyGreat for: Tea, homemade dressings, immune tonicsA natural sweetener with antimicrobial properties — go for raw and local when possible.
Stevia DropsGreat for: Coffee, smoothies, homemade dressingA little goes a long way! Liquid stevia blends easily without raising blood sugar.
A SIMPLE STARTING POINT
→ Swap white sugar for maple syrup or raw honey
→ Then go further: replace half of that with stevia in recipes
Your taste buds will adapt faster than you think!
Even small changes to reduce your sugar exposure can go a long way toward keeping your immune system strong and ready — especially during this busy, germ-heavy season.
EXTRA IMMUNE SUPPORT
If you’re looking for extra support, here are some of our favorite everyday
immune products to help you and your family stay well. These powerful whole-food and herbal formulas work together to support immune defenses and help you recover faster.
Cataplex D (Three tablets per day)
Zinc Chelate (Two tablets per day)
Immuplex (Two capsules per day)
Antronex (Two tablets day)
Echinacea Premium (One tablet 1-2 times per day)
We would love to help you achieve and maintain optimal health. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. The team at Center for Nutritional Healing is always here to help — and you can call (484) 938-7691 to get connected.