The average American thinks that elevated cholesterol is the major risk factor for heart disease. A recent study, however, suggests that sugar intake may be a major risk factor for death from heart disease.
Researchers found that risk of death from heart disease increases exponentially as the intake of sugar increases. Americans consume about 15% of their calories from sugar. That amounts to 300 calories for a 2,000 calorie diet. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 100 calories for women and 150 calories for men. One regular soda contains 140 calories of added sugar bringing men close to the limit for the day.
Those who consume 21% of their daily calories in the form of added sugars doubled their risk of death from heart disease over those who consumed only 10% of their daily calories from added sugars.
This study was based on examination of the diets of 31,000 people. Sugar has been shown to lead to high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol (HDL), fatty liver, and insulin resistance.
Yang, Quanhe, et al., Added sugar intake and cardiovascular diseases mortality among US adults, JAMA Intern Med., 2014;174(4):516-524.
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