A new study shows eating little to no sugar starting at conception can protect babies from health risks later in life. The study found that restricting sugar intake for the first 1,000 days of a child’s life can make a significant difference.
Researchers found avoiding sugar from conception to age two can reduce a child’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 35% and delay its onset by four years. They also found limiting a baby’s sugar intake drops their risk of high blood pressure by 20% and delays its onset by two years.
The study found the most important times to avoid sugar for babies are during pregnancy and after they’re about 6 months old, when they typically start eating solid foods.
U.S. dietary guidelines recommend children under the age of 2 consume no added sugars at all and anyone older than 2 old have up to 4 tablespoons a day. Despite that, the CDC says on average, Americans, including children, consume nearly six tablespoons of sugar per day.
