The danger of excessive sugar

Not all sugary products are equal in terms of health hazards; some can in fact increase the risk of stroke or heart disease. Curious to know which ones are the most harmful?

Sugars: all equal in the face of cardiovascular disease risks?

The old adage “Too much sugar is bad for your health” is well known to everyone. However, according to researchers at Lund University in Sweden, not all sugars are equal when it comes to health risks.

20 years of study on sweet habits

Over a period of more than 20 years, these scientists analyzed the sweet eating habits of nearly 70,000 people. Their study looked at three main categories of sugars: toppings like honey, treats like baked goods, and sugary drinks.

Sugary drinks: the worst enemy of our health

Their conclusion is striking: the consumption of sugary drinks is more dangerous for your health than any other form of sugar. It significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Suzanne Janzi, lead author of the study, explains that liquid sugar is particularly problematic because it is less satiating than solid sugar, which can lead to overconsumption.

Moderate and thoughtful consumption of sugar

Surprisingly, the study revealed that people who occasionally indulge in sweets (cakes, sweets, pastries) would have a lower cardiovascular risk than those who never consume them. However, this observation should be taken with caution. “Our results are based on a Swedish population, whose dietary habits and lifestyles may differ from those of other populations”nuance Suzanne Janzi. Further research is therefore needed.

Remember that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Europe. This discovery could open up new perspectives for prevention. Rather than drastic restriction of sugar, moderate and considered consumption seems more beneficial for cardiovascular health.