The adverse health effects of sugar-sweetened beverage intake are well-established, but the implications of overall added sugar intake remain unclear. In studies done over 50 years ago (The Seven Countries Study for one), dietary sugar was linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, particularly when found in pastries.
Dietary sugar intake has skyrocketed since then with more and more processed food calories in the average diet. What is the risk now? Researchers in Sweden have published new data that provide alarming news about added sugar in the diet.
STUDYING DIETARY SUGAR AND HEART DISEASE
The researchers investigated the associations between intake of added sugar and various sugar-sweetened foods and beverages (dietary sugar) and the risk of 7 cardiovascular diseases in 69,705 participants aged 45–83 years (47% female) from the Swedish Mammography cohort and Cohort of Swedish men.
METHODS
Questionnaire-based diet and lifestyle assessments were administered in 1997 and 2009. National registers were used for ascertainment of ischemic stroke (n = 6,912), hemorrhagic stroke (n = 1,664), myocardial infarction (n = 6,635), heart failure (n = 10,090), aortic stenosis (n = 1,872), atrial fibrillation (n = 13,167), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 1,575) until 2019.
STUDY RESULTS
Added dietary sugar intake was positively associated with ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Disease associations were found between sugary toppings intake and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and between sweetened beverage intake (soda) and ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Negative associations were found between treats intake (pastries, ice cream, chocolate, and sweets) and all adverse outcomes, and between toppings intake (table sugar, honey, jams, and marmalades) and heart failure and aortic stenosis.
For sweetened beverages, more than eight servings per week was associated with increased risk for ischemic stroke (19%), HF (18%), AF (11%), and AAA (31%).
DISCUSSION
The findings suggest that the associations between added dietary sugar intake and cardiovascular diseases vary by disease and source of added sugar.
The findings emphasize the adverse health effects of sweetened beverage consumption.
The summary reported on cardiovascular news websites was that:
- High intake of added dietary sugar, especially from sweetened beverages, was linked to elevated CVD risk.
- Moderate intake, specifically of treats such as pastries and ice cream, may not adversely impact heart health.
Swedish researchers reported that “extremely low” dietary sugar intake may not be necessary to prevent heart disease, and some treats throughout the week may be acceptable as moderate intake was associated with reduced CV risk.
One of the authors commented: “Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms — they make you feel less full — potentially leading to overconsumption. Context also matters — treats are often enjoyed in social settings or special occasions, while sweetened beverages might be consumed more regularly.”
They went on to report that: A little of what you fancy does you good… unless it’s a fizzy drink. Scientists studying the impact of dietary sugar on the risk of cardiovascular disease have found that eating too much added sugar increases your risk of stroke or aneurysm, but eating a few treats is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, drinking sweetened beverages raises your risk of stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
BOTTOM LINE
Do not drink your calories, as sugar-sweetened beverages can be moderate, low, or absent, in sugar from other sources. Whole fruit is always OK.
Drinking calories refers to calories that come from beverages, which can add up quickly and are easy to consume without even realizing it. This type of calorie is also referred to as empty or hidden calories because the body doesn’t register them in the same way that it does with calories that are from solid foods.
About the author: Dr. Joel Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists and he is passionate about scientifically showing the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition. He is on a mission to try to prevent all future heart attacks by educating and inspiring people to follow an active and holistic lifestyle by applying cutting-edge science to their lives.
At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/dietary-sugar-particularly-soda-drives-many-heart-diseases
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1452085/full
https://worldhealth.net/news/drinking-your-calories/
https://worldhealth.net/news/fruits-can-help-keep-you-healthy-winter/
