Health risks of added sugar diets

We know that a high-sugar diet is harmful for our health because it can cause obesity and type 2 diabetes. But what about the health of our heart? An American research study shows that there is a link between sugar added in meal preparation or processed foods and the risk of death from a heart problem. Even one 140 calorie soda (or any other sugar-sweetened beverage) a day resulted in an increased risk of death. Mostly, the sugar comes from sugar-sweetened beverages. Other important sources include cookies, cakes, pastries, and similar treats, fruit drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and the like, candy and ready-to-eat cereals. Compared with people in the study who received only 8 percent of their total daily calories from added sugar, those who consumed 17 to 21 percent increased their risk of death by heart disease by 38 percent. The statistic doubled for those who exceeded 21 percent of their daily calories in sugar. It was also shown that there is a correlation between high level or sugar and the persons that are young, non-smokers, and people who have a low level of physical activity. Medical professionals advise to have a fruit-based dessert, rather than added-sugar processed deserts. Plain fruit with no added sugar is ideal. To curb a soda habit, mixing a little fruit juice with carbonated water may help as a replacement. ...

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