Beyond Fat: Sugar Is 'Silently Destroying Your Heart'

A leading cardiologist has identified sugar as a significant contributor to heart disease, often overlooked in favor of focusing solely on saturated fat. This common ingredient, found in numerous food and drink items, is described as "silently destroying your heart."

A 2024 study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by approximately 18%, irrespective of physical activity levels.

Even among highly active individuals, those consuming two or more sugary drinks daily experienced a 21% higher CVD risk. Furthermore, a major JAMA Internal Medicine study indicated that individuals deriving 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar faced more than double the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those consuming less than 10%.

This added sugar intake contributes to inflammation, elevated blood pressure, worsened cholesterol levels, and disrupted glucose control, posing a dual threat to both the heart and the pancreas. The British Heart Foundation defines 'added sugar' as sugars added to foods or present in fruit juice, providing energy without significant nutritional value.

Key sources of added sugar in UK diets include cakes, biscuits, pastries, jams, spreads, soft drinks, chocolate, beer, lager, cider, fruit juice, yoghurts, and condiments. The UK Government recommends that free sugars should not exceed 5% of daily caloric intake.