Added sugar is the enemy to the body’s health, at least that is what has been taught for decades now. However, just like any other enemy, some are worse than others. A new study shows the kind of sugary treat one indulges in changes how it impacts their health.
The study was done over the span of more than 20 years, and looked at three major categories: sugary beverages, sweets — like pastries — and toppings, like the honey that people add to tea or the sugar put in coffee.
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden found consuming sweet drinks significantly increases the risk for heart disease, while eating things like pastries and chocolate in social settings might actually protect the body’s health.
Researchers said the study was only observational, meaning they found associations but can’t yet be sure that the ways people take in sugar caused the different rates of heart disease, so it needs to be studied further.
Still, one of the study’s authors said a theory behind why sugary drinks may seem to impact heart health more is that they make the consumer feel less full, making it easy to drink more than they should.
The study also found that weight plays a big role in how sugar impacts health. Those with a higher body mass index (BMI) were at higher risk of stroke or aortic aneurysm with higher sugar intake, while those considered normal weight saw increased heart health risks.
The bottom line? Cutting out sugar altogether is not necessary to live the healthiest life.
