High Sugar Intake May Contribute to Cardiovascular Disease

High dietary intake of sugar has previously been linked to the development of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). Now a recent study suggests that consuming high levels of sugar may put otherwise healthy people at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Participants in the study included 11 men with NAFLD and 14 men without NAFLD who acted as controls. The men were given either a high sugar diet containing 650 calories of sugar per day or a low sugar diet containing 140 calories of sugar per day.

After the 12 week intervention period, the men with NAFLD in the high sugar group had changes in their fat metabolism that are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. The men without NAFLD in the high sugar group also had increases in liver fat and their fat metabolism resembled that of the men with NAFLD.

Fat metabolism is the biochemical process by which the body breaks down fats and transports it in the blood.

Researchers from the University of Surrey in the UK led the study. It was published on October 17, 2017, in Clinical Science.

Eating too much sugar can result in metabolic dysfunction, weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes and damage to the liver. In order to limit your sugar intake, avoid processed and convenience foods, including fast food. Increase consumption of healthy fats such as omega-3’s, saturated and monosaturated fats. Also drink more water, and reduce your intake of sweetened beverages such as soda and fruit juice.