08/18/2025
Excess sugar may be deadlier for your heart than cholesterol itself. A landmark 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed that consuming high levels of added sugar more than doubles the risk of dying from heart disease—even if you are not overweight.
The study followed thousands of adults and found the danger persisted regardless of age, s*x, weight, physical activity, or cholesterol levels. Those who got 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar were over twice as likely to die from heart disease compared with those consuming less than 10%.
Sugar-sweetened beverages emerged as the biggest culprit, accounting for more than a third of added sugar in the average American diet. Other sources include desserts, candy, breakfast cereals, and fruit drinks. Researchers suggest that excess sugar raises blood pressure and prompts the liver to release harmful fats into the bloodstream—both of which heighten cardiovascular risk.
The American Heart Association warns that women should limit added sugar to 6 teaspoons (100 calories) per day and men to 9 teaspoons (150 calories). Yet just one can of soda can meet or exceed this daily limit. Experts recommend swapping sugary drinks for fruit-infused sparkling water and choosing naturally sweetened or unsweetened foods to safeguard heart health.
Source: Yang Q, Zhang Z, Gregg EW, Flanders WD, Merritt R, Hu FB. Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(4):516–524.
