Daijiworld Media Network- London

London, Apr 16: A groundbreaking new study has turned conventional wisdom on its head, revealing that sugar—not high cholesterol—could be the bigger culprit behind heart attacks and strokes. While both dietary sugar and cholesterol contribute to cardiovascular disease, mounting evidence suggests that excessive intake of added sugars is a more dangerous trigger, even for individuals with normal cholesterol levels.

Key findings from the study

A study published in BMC Medicine analyzed data from over 110,000 UK adults aged 37 to 73 over a nine-year period. It discovered a significant correlation between diets high in free sugars—such as those in sodas, fruit juices, syrups, and processed foods—and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Each 5% increase in free sugar intake was linked to:

o 6% higher risk of heart disease

o 10% higher risk of stroke

Importantly, the study excluded naturally occurring sugars in whole fruits and vegetables, focusing only on added or “free” sugars.

Cody Watling, lead author and doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, noted that the most common sources of sugar in participants’ diets were:

• Preserves and confectionery

• Sugar-sweetened beverages

• Desserts

• Fruit juices

Those in the highest-risk group consumed around 95 grams of free sugar daily, which accounted for 18% of their total energy intake.

How Sugar Affects Heart Health

The study explains that consuming too much sugar:

• Overloads the liver, leading to fat storage and fatty liver disease

• Raises blood pressure and triggers chronic inflammation

• Contributes to weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, and increased fat in the blood

These combined effects significantly heighten the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Walter Willett, Harvard University epidemiologist, stressed the importance of avoiding sugary drinks:

“A glass of fruit juice is the same thing as Coke,” he said, highlighting that even naturally derived sugary beverages pose risks when consumed frequently.

Reducing risk: What you can do

To lower your risk of heart disease, the researchers recommend:

• Eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages

• Avoiding sweets and desserts with added sugars

• Choosing carbohydrates rich in whole grains and natural fibers

The study also incorporated honey, syrups, and fruit juice sugars—which are often excluded in similar research—providing a more comprehensive view of how free sugars impact health.

Watling concluded that long-term health depends on embracing whole foods and ditching sugar-laden products: