The odd sweet treat might do you good, but sodas are a no-no
You can reach for a sugary treat from time to time in the interests of preventing heart disease, say Swedish scientists in a study that found, however, no good news when it comes fizzy drinks.
If you fancy a pastry or bowl of ice cream from time to time, or like to add jam or marmalade to your morning toast, you need no longer worry that you might be increasing your risk for heart disease, say Swedish researchers in a study. They also showed, however, that sugar-sweetened drinks are better avoided.
“The most striking finding from our study is the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and cardiovascular disease risk,” said study author Suzanne Janzi, a PHD candidate in Nutritional Epidemiology in the Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
“This surprising contrast highlights the importance of considering not just the amount of sugar consumed, but its source and context.”
The research was published by Frontiers in Public Health on December 9.
Insufficient evidence
Despite much discussion over a link between sugar consumption and heart disease, there is currently little evidence to back up any claims, the authors note, other than for sugar-sweetened drinks such as sodas and other fizzy drinks. However, these account for only 14% of added sugar intake in Sweden, versus approximately 25% in the USA.
There is also little agreement between national health guidelines both on the recommended thresholds for daily sugar consumption, and even on the way in which the impact of sugar consumption on health is measured.
To determine the effect on heart health of added sugar from a variety of foods and beverages, the researchers looked at data on almost 70,000 men and women aged 45–83 years who had taken part in two studies.
The participants had completed questionnaires on their diet and lifestyle in 1997 and 2009, and the researchers examined national health registers to see how many of the people in their analysis suffered from some form of heart disease up to the end of 2019.
A little of what you like does you good
After adjusting for factors that could affect the results, the researchers found that a high overall added sugar intake was associated with an increased risk of stroke. There was also an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a bulging or swelling in the wall of the body’s largest blood vessel, the aorta—if the aneurysm gets too big, it can burst, which is potentially life-threatening.
However, the highest risks for the majority of heart-related outcomes such as heart attack, heart failure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), were found in people with the lowest intake of added sugar, while the people who had the lowest risk to their heart health were those with low-to-moderate added sugar intake.
“This might reflect underlying dietary behaviors—individuals consuming very little sugar might have very restrictive diets or might be limiting sugar due to pre-existing health conditions,” suggested Janzi. “While our observational study cannot establish causation, these findings suggest that extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health.”
No sodas, but Pooh bear was onto something
When it came to sugar-sweetened beverages, however, the picture was much less positive.
People with the highest intake of such drinks had a 19% increased risk of stroke, an 18% increased risk of heart failure, an 11% increased of atrial fibrillation and a 31% higher risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm compared with people with the lowest intake.
But before that has you clearing out your cupboards of all things sugary, rest assured that you can still enjoy your favourite toppings. People who added table sugar, honey, jams and marmalades to their snacks, in no matter the quantity, had an approximately 10% reduction in the risk of heart failure over those who did not eat them at all.
A similar finding was seen for treats such as pastries, ice cream, sweets and chocolate, “with the highest risks being found among consumers of ≤2 servings/week,” the authors write.
“Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms—they make you feel less full—potentially leading to overconsumption,” said Janzi. “Context also matters—treats are often enjoyed in social settings or special occasions, while sweetened beverages might be consumed more regularly.”
Janzi cautioned, however, that they studied only the Swedish population, “which may have dietary habits and lifestyle factors that differ from those in other populations.”
The research was funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Heart and Lung Foundation, and the Albert Påhlsson Foundation. The researchers also acknowledge the Swedish Infrastructure for Medical Population-based Life-course Environmental Research (SIMPLER) for providing data and resources used for this project. SIMPLER receives funding through the Swedish Research Council and from Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist Byggmästare.
No relevant financial relationships declared.
Liam Andrew Davenport is a medical reporter with more than 20 years’ experience covering a wide range of specialties and topics in the field.