Excellent question.

I've long read about the link between sugar consumption and inflammation. Unfortunately, I can find no research findings that explain this in layperson's terms.

But to answer your basic question -- "is there any correlation between what I consume and the aches and pains?" -- it seems self-evident that there is a correlation. You eat sugary junk food and you feel bad. "We are what we eat." :-)

Perhaps it's due to the sugar creating inflammation, which surely can cause more "aches and pains."

In any case, it seems a clear sign to cut back on sugar (and perhaps other inflammatory foods) and to read up on pre-diabetes conditions.

good luck.