Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is a cornerstone of good health, guarding against a range of chronic conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
While overall dietary patterns are crucial, specific elements of your diet, such as foods and drinks high in added sugar, can be detrimental to your health and amplify disease risk when consumed excessively.
Excessive consumption of added sugar can have adverse effects on blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, body weight, and more.
Unveiling the Consequences of Overindulging in Sugar
Potential Dangers of Overindulging in Sugar Added sugar refers to sweeteners incorporated into food and beverages for flavor enhancement. This differs from the natural sugars found in fruits, dairy, and vegetables.
Commonly consumed added sugars include cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and honey. As per the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, added sugars contribute around 270 calories to the average American’s daily calorie intake.
Primary sources of added sugar in the United States include sugary beverages, desserts, snacks, and sweetened coffee drinks.
While modest amounts of added sugar are safe, excessive consumption can lead to various health concerns.
Enhanced Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease, including the predominant coronary artery disease, stands as a leading global cause of death. While several factors influence heart disease risk, a diet high in added sugar can contribute to its development.
Research illustrates that sugar-rich diets heighten heart disease risk markers, including high triglycerides, elevated blood sugar and pressure, obesity, and atherosclerosis – the narrowing of arteries due to fatty deposits.
A 2022 review of over 100,000 women revealed that those consuming 15% or more of daily energy as added sugar were 20% likelier to develop coronary heart disease. The study also noted that daily intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was modestly associated with higher risks of heart disease and stroke.
Potential for Fatty Liver
Excessive added sugar intake, especially fructose, can damage the liver and lead to fat accumulation within this vital organ.
Fructose, mainly metabolized by the liver, is either converted into energy or stored as glycogen. Overwhelming the liver with fructose from sugary foods like soda leads to excess glycogen converting into fat. This accumulation results in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
A 2015 study involving 5,908 adults found that daily sugar-sweetened beverage consumption increased the risk of fatty liver disease by 56%.
Elevated Diabetes Risk
Sugary fare contributes to diabetes development through multiple pathways. Overindulging in added sugar can result in a calorie surplus, gradually leading to obesity, a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, excessive sugar intake can cause high blood sugar and insulin resistance – a condition where cells stop responding effectively to insulin, causing elevated blood sugar.
A 2021 review of 16 studies indicated that each daily sugar-sweetened beverage serving increased type 2 diabetes risk by 27%. Limited sugar intake to less than 5% of total calories may reduce diabetes risk by 50%.
Oral Health Impact
A sugar-rich diet is a chief contributor to dental issues in both adults and children. Oral bacteria metabolize sugar, releasing acidic byproducts that erode tooth enamel.
Additionally, sugary beverages, such as soda, possess natural acidity that further erodes enamel. Studies confirm high-sugar diets as risk factors for dental problems, including cavities and gum disease.
Potential for Weight Gain and Abdominal Fat
Excessive added sugar consumption translates to calorie excess, leading to gradual weight gain. Sugary foods lack satiating elements like fiber and protein, making overeating easy. Certain sweeteners can even heighten hunger, intensifying calorie intake.
Individuals with high added sugar intake are more prone to obesity over time. Moreover, added sugar correlates with harmful visceral fat accumulation around organs, associated with elevated risks of diabetes and heart disease.
A 2020 study following 3,070 participants for 25 years linked higher added sugar consumption to increased visceral and general body fat.
Possible Impact on Brain Health High-sugar diets correlate with impaired memory, cognitive decline, and heightened mental health condition risks such as depression. Studies show that excessive added sugar can shrink brain volume, signifying cognitive decline.
A 2017 study involving 4,276 individuals aged over thirty linked higher sugary drink consumption to lower brain volume and memory.
Moreover, high-sugar diets associate with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. A 2017 study encompassing 23,245 participants indicated a 23% elevated risk of common mental disorders in those consuming the most added sugar.
Recommended Daily Sugar Intake
To mitigate health risks tied to excessive sugar intake, it’s advised to limit sugary foods and beverages.
Although health organizations suggest low-sugar diets for optimal health, added sugars constitute a significant portion of most Americans’ diets. On average, Americans consume 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day, equivalent to around 270 calories. Added sugar constitutes up to 17% of adults’ energy intake and 14% of children’s energy intake in the U.S.
U.S. health organizations advise restricting foods and drinks with added sugar and capping added sugar to a certain percentage of total calorie intake. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend children and adults limit added sugar calories to less than 10% daily. The American Heart Association suggests added sugars should comprise no more than 6% of daily calories, equivalent to six to nine teaspoons for women and men, respectively.
Notably, children under two should avoid added sugar altogether.
While these guidelines offer valuable insights, most experts advocate minimizing added sugar for optimal health and reduced disease risk. To cut back on added sugar, reduce sugar-sweetened beverages, candies, baked goods, and other sugary foods.
Consulting a Healthcare Provider
Concerned about your sugar intake? Seek guidance from your healthcare provider to assess your dietary habits and receive recommendations to limit added sugar.
Healthcare professionals specializing in nutrition, such as registered dietitians, can provide tailored advice, suggesting dietary adjustments to curb sugar consumption. In addition to reducing sugary foods and beverages, dietitians can advise incorporating filling, high-fiber, and protein-rich foods, preparing more homemade meals, and switching to low-sugar or calorie-free drinks.
In Brief
Excessive added sugar intake can negatively impact blood sugar, cardiovascular health, body weight, and more. Potential repercussions include heart disease, fatty liver, diabetes, dental problems, weight gain, abdominal fat accumulation, and potential brain health impacts. Health organizations recommend limiting added sugar intake and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals to navigate dietary changes and maintain overall well-being.
Sources:
- Yang B, Glenn AJ, Liu Q, et al. Added sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, and artificially sweetened beverages and risk of cardiovascular disease: findings from the women’s health initiative and a network meta-analysis of prospective studies. Nutrients. 2022;14(20):4226. doi: 10.3390/nu14204226.
- Ma J, Fox CS, Jacques PF, et al. Sugar-sweetened beverage, diet soda, and fatty liver disease in the Framingham Heart Study cohorts. J Hepatol. 2015;63(2):462-469. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.03.032.
- 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.