HealthDayOne Source of Sugar Is Especially Bad for Your Heart, New Study Finds

A new study from Lund University examining nearly 70,000 participants reveals distinct cardiovascular risks associated with different sources of sugar consumption. The research specifically compared three classes of sugar – toppings, treats, and sweetened beverages – analyzing their impact across seven cardiovascular diseases. The findings present significant implications for dietary recommendations in cardiovascular health management.

Key Points:

• The study demonstrated that sugar-sweetened beverages pose the highest cardiovascular risk among the three sugar classes examined, correlating with increased incidence of stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Liquid sugars found in sweetened beverages showed reduced satiety compared to solid forms, potentially leading to overconsumption and associated cardiovascular complications.
• Higher overall sugar intake correlated with increased risk of stroke and heart failure across the study population.
• Moderate consumption of sugary treats showed better cardiac outcomes compared to complete abstinence, suggesting potential benefits of balanced consumption.
• The research emphasizes the importance of considering sugar source, not just quantity, when assessing cardiovascular risk factors.

“Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms — they make you feel less full — potentially leading to overconsumption.”
– Suzanne Janzi, Lund University

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