04/10/2025
๐ฌ Sugar, not cholesterol, may be the bigger threat to your heart.
A major 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that consuming high levels of added sugar more than doubles the risk of dying from heart disease โ regardless of your weight, cholesterol levels, age, or activity level.
๐ People who consumed 25% or more of daily calories from added sugar had over twice the risk of cardiovascular death compared to those who kept it under 10%. Shockingly, this elevated risk persisted even among those following otherwise healthy diets.
๐จ The leading sources of added sugar are sugary drinks (over one-third of intake), followed by desserts, candies, sweetened cereals, and fruit drinks. Researchers warn that excess sugar raises blood pressure and prompts the liver to release harmful fats into the bloodstream โ both powerful drivers of heart disease.
๐ฅค To put this into perspective: a single can of soda can exceed the daily sugar limit recommended by the American Heart Association (6 teaspoons for women, 9 for men). Swapping sugary drinks for sparkling water with fruit or opting for unsweetened desserts can go a long way in protecting your heart.
๐ซ The bottom line: Cutting back on added sugars may be one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of heart disease โ more so than focusing only on cholesterol.
Source: Yang Q, Zhang Z, Gregg EW, Flanders WD, Merritt R, Hu FB. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(4):516โ524.
