We all like something sweet every now and then, right? And after all, it can even be good for us, except if you’re talking about a fizzy drink.
According to , new research suggests that the eating an occasional sweet can potentially reduce the risk of disease related to the heart.
On the other hand, the regular intake of sweet drinks can do exactly what contrary.
The study, in the journal Frontiers in Public Healthalso highlights the importance of considering not only the quantity of sugar we consume, but also the form and context where we consume it.
Os researchers at Lund University embarked on a mission to understand the complexities of the impact of consuming added sugars on heart health.
Interestingly, they discovered thatin all sugars consumed are the same in the eyes of our cardiovascular system.
Suzanne Janzi, doctoral candidate and corresponding author of the study, said that the team’s most surprising discoveryhi the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Janzi points out that the source and context of the sugar consumed are just as important to consider as the amount of sugar. This unexpected contrast implies that the general advice to reduce all sugars may not be the most helpful guidance.
Public health bodies around the world have long advocated eradicating excess sugar from our diets in an effort to protect our teeth and promote healthier eating habits.
However, the concrete evidence linking sugar consumption to cardiovascular disease continue to be limited.
Given that some of these diseases are the main causes of death in Europe, researchers sought to fill this gapfocusing on diet as an accessible lever for risk reduction. They collected data from two large studies that involved more than 69,000 participants.
The consumption of different types of sugar by each individual was monitored and compared with the incidence of seven different cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers discovered that the Sugary drinks have the most blatant impact on healthfar surpassing any other form of sugar consumption.
The risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm increased significantly with increased consumption of these liquid sugars.
“Liquid sugars, present in sugary drinks, typically provide less satiety than solid forms — making us feel less full — potentially leading to overconsumption,” Janzi explained.
The context of consumption is also important, with sweets often enjoyed in social settings or special occasions and sweet drinks consumed more regularly, he added.
Interestingly, several types of cardiovascular disease were affected differently by sugar intake, and surprisingly, the occasional consumption of sweets, such as chocolate and pastries, indicated best results than non-consumption.
“This may reflect underlying eating behaviors — individuals who consume very little sugar may have very restrictive diets or may be limiting sugar due to pre-existing health problems,” Janzi said.
It is discoveries, however intriguing they may beask several questions that have not yet been resolved. How different types of sugar trigger different responses in our bodies remains an area that needs further exploration.
Furthermore, given the cultural specificity of eating habits, these results may not directly translate across diverse populations.
“Our results are based on a Swedish population, which may have different eating habits and lifestyle factors than other populations,” said Janzi, alluding to the cultural element that is often ignored in food studies.
So, although this knowledge may not be applicable worldwidehighlight the importance of viewing food and health in a broader, culturally informed context.
Teresa Oliveira Campos, ZAP //
