Sugar linked to fatal heart disease, regardless of body weight

Posted on Tue, 4 Feb 14

One of the largest studies of its kind has clearly linked added sugar consumption with significantly increased risk of fatal heart disease, regardless of whether or not you are overweight.

The new study used US national health survey data to examine added sugar consumption from 1988 to 2010 as a percentage of daily calories and then estimated association between sugar and risk of fatal heart disease.

They found that the risk of fatal heart disease increases once added sugar rises above 15% of daily calories, which as an editorialist points out, is the equivalent of about 550 ml of soda if you are consuming an average 2000 calorie diet (and if that diet is otherwise completely free of any added sugars).

As sugar intake increased above 15% there was an exponential increase in fatal heart disease, with a 4-fold increased risk in those who consumed above approximately 30% of calories as added sugars. An increase in risk was shown in normal-weight people as well as those who are overweight.

This study provides important insight into how much sugar is safe and should inform public health guidelines. Currently the Institute of Medicine recommends no more than 25% of calories from added sugar, but this clearly needs revising.  

The American Heat Association guidelines are closer to the mark; they recommend no more than 100 calories per day or about 6 teaspoons of sugar for women or 150 calories per day or about 9 teaspoons for men, which is about 5 to 7% of total daily calories respectively.

For perspective, a can of regular soft drink contains 8 teaspoons of sugar, or 130 calories, and zero nutrition.

References:

Yang Q, et al. Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Feb  3. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13563. [Epub ahead of print]

Schmidt LA. New Unsweetened Truths About Sugar. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Feb 3. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.12991. [Epub ahead of print]

Johnson RK, et al. Dietary sugars intake and cardiovascular health: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2009 Sep 15;120(11):1011-20.