Sweet snacks may benefit heart health, sugary drinks harmful
Research published in "Frontiers in Public Health" suggests that occasional consumption of sweet snacks may be better for heart health than completely avoiding sweets. However, regular consumption of sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Scientists from Lund University analysed data from over 69,000 people, using information from two large Swedish cohort studies: the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men. Participants completed dietary questionnaires in 1997 and 2009, and their health status was monitored until 2019.
During the observation period, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. The researchers focused on the impact of three types of sugar intake: additives like honey, sweet snacks, and sugary drinks. They analysed the risk of developing seven cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
Surprising research findings
The results showed that sugary drinks posed the greatest threat to the heart. Regular consumption increases the risk of ischaemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms — they make you feel less full — potentially leading to overconsumption - explained Suzanne Janzi, a PhD student at Lund University (Sweden) and the article's author, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Surprisingly, the lowest risk of cardiovascular diseases was noted in people who occasionally consumed sweet snacks compared to those who completely abstained from them.
Extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health, explains Janzi. This suggests that moderate consumption of sweets in a social or occasional context may be acceptable.
The study also revealed that increased sugar consumption affected various heart diseases differently. For example, higher sugar intake increases the risk of ischaemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm, as well as heart failure in individuals with a normal body mass index. This may be due to the individual risk profiles of the participants.
The authors emphasise that their observational study does not definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship. However, our results suggest the need for further research on the impact of different sources of sugar on heart health, notes Janzi. She also points out that diet is specific to a particular culture and population, so results obtained in Sweden may not be identical in other countries.
