The Dark Side of Sugary Drinks: A Swedish Study Reveals the Dangers of Liquid Sugars
All forms of sugar should be consumed in moderation, health authorities caution. The World Health Organization (WHO), for example, recommends limiting sugar consumption to no more than 10% of total energy intake, which is equivalent to 50g of sugar when daily meals total 2,000 calories.
The Findings: A Nuanced Picture
Consumer organisations have long been warning about the dangers of hidden sugars in a wide range of foods, making it all the more complicated to keep track of your daily sugar intake. Now, a Swedish study published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Public Health sheds fresh light on long-held ideas on this subject, such as avoiding sweet treats at all costs.
The findings paint a more nuanced picture, and once again raise the subject of the excessive sugar content of certain drinks, including fruit juices. This type of beverage is known to contain proportions of sugars in excess of WHO guidelines, and it is usually considered better to bite into an apple rather than drink its juice.
The Swedish Study: A Warning about Sugary Drinks
This new study of 70,000 people in Sweden, followed for 22 years from 1997 onwards, sounds the alarm about the harmful effects of sugary drinks, which can be worse than forms of sugar found in other sweet treats.
The explanation is quite logical: “Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms – they make you feel less full – potentially leading to overconsumption,” according to Suzanne Janzi, PhD candidate at Lund University and corresponding author of the paper.
The Importance of Context
In fact, this analysis shows that it’s not just about sugar as a whole, but rather about the way it is consumed. “This surprising contrast highlights the importance of considering not just the amount of sugar consumed, but its source and context,” Janzi added.
A Warning: The Dangers of Sugary Drinks
And the findings shouldn’t be taken lightly, since our cardiovascular health could be at stake: the scientists found that consuming sweet drinks may be worse for cardiovascular health than any other form of sugar. In fact, drinking more sweetened drinks significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The Occasional Indulgence: A Better Option?
While this study seemingly lets us off the hook for eating the occasional sweet treat, the researchers also found that the occasional indulgence could be better than banishing sugar entirely. “While our observational study cannot establish causation, these findings suggest that extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health,” Janzi noted.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the researchers concluded that “the highest risks of a negative health outcome arose in the lowest intake category for treats. Consuming occasional treats was associated with better outcomes than no treats at all.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it true that sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease?
A: Yes, according to the Swedish study, sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Q: How much sugar should I consume daily?
A: The World Health Organization recommends limiting sugar consumption to no more than 10% of total energy intake, which is equivalent to 50g of sugar when daily meals total 2,000 calories.
Q: Can I consume occasional treats and still be healthy?
A: Yes, according to the study, consuming occasional treats is associated with better outcomes than no treats at all, and may even be better than banishing sugar entirely.