Occasional Sweets Wont Raise Cardiovascular Risk but Sugary Drinks Can, Study Finds

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2 months ago

December 16, 2024

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Share on Pinterest New research suggests that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks may raise your risk of cardiovascular disease, while eating the occasional sweet treat will not. Westend61/Getty ImagesA study found that sugary drinks increase cardiovascular risk.However, occasional sweet treats did not present the same risk.Experts say sugary drinks spike blood sugar and cause insulin resistance.Insulin resistance puts you at greater risk of cardiovascular disease.It is advised to keep your added sugar intake at 10% of calories or less.

Its well known that eating too much sugar is bad for health.

However, a new study indicates that it may not just be the amount of sugar ingested but also where its coming from and the regularity with which we consume it.

According to research published on December 9, 2024, in Frontiers in Public Health, having too much added sugar raises the risk of stroke or aneurysm.

However, only consuming a few sweet treats was linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

On the other hand, drinking sugar-sweetened drinks was associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, per the study. Added sugars link to cardiovascular disease

To conduct the study, the researchers examined data from two large studies: the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men.

They used diet questionnaires from these studies, done in 1997 and 2009, to get an idea of how peoples diets had changed.

After ensuring that the two sets of data met the same conditions for inclusion and excluding independent risk factors, nearly 70,000 participants were included in the study.

The research team then divided peoples sugar consumption into three categories: sugary toppings, treats, and sweetened drinks.

They additionally identified seven cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation, aortic aneurysms, aortic stenosis, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

The study participants were monitored until they either died, were diagnosed with one of the diseases of interest, or at the end of the follow-up in 2019.

Altogether, almost 26,000 people ended up being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

The researchers used the data collected to analyze how the different patterns of sugar consumption influenced peoples risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Sweetened drinks were found to have the worst effect on health, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and aortic aneurysm.

Further, consuming more added sugar in general contributed to the risk of ischemic stroke, aortic aneurysm, and heart failure.

Having only occasional treats, however, yielded better results than having no treats, per the researchers.

While they were unable to explain this effect, they suggested that it might be because the individuals who ate no treats at all had highly restrictive diets or other health problems.

However, they believe these findings indicate that extremely low sugar intake may not be needed to benefit cardiovascular health. Why sweet drinks increase risk more than occasional treats

Michelle Routhenstein, MS RD CDCES CDN, cardiology dietitian and owner at Entirely Nourished, explained the difference between sweetened drinks for example, sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened teas or coffees by saying that these beverages have a high glycemic index, which means they rapidly spike blood sugar levels.

This leads to a corresponding spike in insulin, the hormone responsible for helping cells absorb glucose, she added.

Routhenstein went on to explain that consistently consuming high-sugar drinks can overwhelm your bodys ability to handle the high influx of sugar.

This contributes to insulin resistance, she explained, which is a condition where your bodys cells lose their responsiveness to this hormone.

Over time, this can result in impaired glucose metabolism, which is linked to increased fat storage, inflammation, and damage to blood vessels all risk factors for cardiovascular disease, said Routhenstein.

On the other hand, occasional treats do not create this state of overwhelm.

Since theyre infrequent, they dont create a pattern of chronic overconsumption, allowing the body to process glucose normally without long-term disruption to metabolic health, she concluded. What is considered to be an occasional treat

Bharathi Ramesh, MS, who is a nutritionist and clinical research professional in New York, clarified the term, saying, Occasional typically means consuming sweet treats sparingly no more than once or twice a week, depending on overall dietary habits and individual health goals.

Additionally, Ramesh noted that the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends keeping added sugar below 10% of daily calories.

For example, in a 2,000-calorie diet, this amounts to less than 50 grams (about 12 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, she said.

Ramesh offered the example of a standard 12-ounce can of soda, which contains about 35-50 grams of sugar. This already exceeds the AHAs recommendation for most people, she said.

However, a smaller serving, such as 6 ounces, which has 18-20 grams, could potentially fit into your allowance if you avoid most other sugar sources.

Similarly, a small treat, such as a single cookie or a modest slice of cake with about 15-20 grams of sugar, could also align with the daily limit, said Ramesh, provided overall sugar intake from other foods and drinks is carefully managed.

She further advised that when buying sweet drinks, its essential to look for hidden sugars in beverages like flavored coffee, sports drinks, and fruit juices. These can add up quickly.

Opting for water, unsweetened teas, or beverages with no added sugar helps maintain balance while allowing for occasional indulgences, suggested Ramesh.

For sweet treats, she said its crucial to keep an eye on portion sizes in order to avoid exceeding the added sugar limit set by the AHA.

Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains further mitigate the potential adverse effects of occasional sugary treats, said Ramesh. Takeaway

New research indicates that its not just how much sugar we are consuming but also the source and how often we have it.

Sugary drinks were associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, occasional sweet treats did not present this same risk.

Nutrition experts say regularly having sugary drinks spikes blood sugar and creates insulin resistance, which can increase your cardiovascular risk.

Occasional treats, however, do not overwhelm your bodys ability to handle the extra sugar.

The AHA recommends consuming no more than 10% of your daily calories in the form of added sugar. This equates to about 12 teaspoons of sugar with a 2,000-calorie diet.

World

Pope Francis has ‘initial, mild’ kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

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4 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Pope Francis has 'initial, mild' kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

The Pope remains in a critical condition and is now showing an “initial, mild” kidney problem – but is “vigilant” and took part in Mass in hospital with those caring for him.

The Vatican statement said Francis hadn’t had any more “respiratory crises” since Saturday evening.

However, a problem with his kidneys has emerged, with blood tests showing “an initial, mild, renal insufficiency, which is currently under control”, according to the update.

The 88-year-old Pope is still having “high-flow oxygen therapy” into his nose, while his hemoglobin value has increased after being given blood transfusions on Saturday.

The Pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since 14 February and is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Sunday evening’s statement said he was “vigilant and well oriented”, but due to the complexity of his case the prognosis is “reserved”.

“During the morning, in the apartment set up on the 10th floor, he participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who are taking care of him during these days of hospitalization,” the update added.

On Sunday morning, the Vatican said the Pope had a “tranquil” night and confirmed he would not lead prayers for the second week running.

Instead, Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, prepared words to be read on his behalf at the recitation of the Angelus.

‘I ask you to pray for me’

The Pope’s message said: “I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!

“I sincerely thank the doctors and health workers of this hospital for the attention they are showing me and the dedication with which they carry out their service among the sick.

“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.

“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”

The message is understood to have been written in the last few days.

On Saturday night, the Vatican said the Pope was in a critical condition after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that required a high flow of oxygen.

It said he’d had blood transfusions after tests revealed thrombocytopenia, which is associated with anaemia.

Millions around the world have been concerned about his increasingly frail health – and his condition has given rise to speculation over a possible resignation.

Faith is never lost but it feels optimism is fading

By Lisa Holland, Sky correspondent in Vatican City

It’s hard to imagine a Sunday in the Vatican City without the Pope. Every week – unless he’s travelling – he is a constant, appearing at the same Vatican windows to deliver his message.

Instead, his written words were distributed by Vatican officials. In his message, the Pope thanked his doctors and people around the world for their good wishes.

But it seems the upbeat message was written before the dramatic downturn in the Pope’s health, which has left him in a critical condition. The business and the events of the Church are continuing in his absence.

Faith is never lost but it feels like optimism is fading and we are living through the last days of Pope Francis.

In St Peter’s Square the sun shone – and a gentle light fell on the ancient stone of the basilica.
The beauty and pageantry of columns of deacons and visitors filing in for a special mass as part of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year sat awkwardly with the prognosis of the Pope’s ailing health.

The visitors and deacons who’d come from around the world to take part, and hoped to see the Pope, were left disappointed. Though they said they felt his presence. “It is what it is,” said one.

They know the Pope is an 88-year-old man who has spent the last few years assisted by a wheelchair and walking stick. Throughout his life he has been dogged by lung issues.

It leaves an almost philosophical mood ahead of what the coming days may bring.

Doctors said on Friday that he was “not out of danger” and was expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.

They also warned that while he did not have sepsis, there was always a risk the infection could spread in his body.

Sepsis is a complication of an infection that can lead to organ failure and death.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory illness, having lost part of one of his lungs to pleurisy as a young man. He also had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023.

Environment

Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

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6 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

Volvo Penta BESS subsystem to be Bauma highlight

Volvo Penta will debut its latest modular and scalable battery energy storage system (BESS) platform for the off-grid construction and mining industries at the bauma equipment show – here’s what you can expect.

Best-known for its marine engines and gensets, Volvo Penta is the power production arm of the Volvo Group, specializing in putting energy to work. Operating under the tagline, ‘Made to Move You’, Volvo Penta is headed to bauma 2025 with a plan to keep construction, port shipping, and mining operations moving productively and competitively throughout their transitions to battery and (in theory, at least) hydrogen power.

To that end, the company will show off a job site ready version of the scalable and modular BESS subsystem concept shown last year.

Volvo says its new, modular BESS subsystem will enable other OEMs and third party system integrators to seamlessly deploy electric power to meet the ever-exceeding energy needs in construction and mining.

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“Our modular and scalable battery-electric platform is designed to support the electrification ecosystem—combining high-performance drivelines with the crucial energy storage subsystems for efficient charging and operation in construction and mining,” says Hannes Norrgren, President of Volvo Penta Industrial. “We want to meaningfully collaborate with our customers on value-added customization that will enable them to stay productive, efficient, and future-ready.”

The Penta substation at bauma will be built around the company’s “Cube” battery pack, an energy-dense solution with a favorable C-rate designed to make it easy for BESS manufacturers to offer more compact job site solutions capable of charging and discharging energy with high levels of speed and efficiency, enabling both stationary and mobile BESS configurations that can change and grow to meet the evolving needs of a given asset fleet or project.

A Volvo Penta-developed DC/DC unit converts the voltage from the Cube battery packs (600 V) into lower voltage (24 V) for powering auxiliaries and portable offices.

Electrek’s Take

BESS concept packed with Penta Cube batteries; via Volvo.

Volvo Penta has always provided power. Historically that’s been from combustion, but the company is looking ahead, developing products that will bring energy to job sites, tractors, and more long after the last ICE engine shuts down.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo Penta.

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World

Exit poll may appear decisive – but path to coalition is not clear yet

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6 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Exit poll may appear decisive - but path to coalition is not clear yet

Initial exit polls appear to confirm what we have known for weeks: that the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) have got the most votes in the federal election, with Friedrich Merz most likely to be the next chancellor.

While this result isn’t a surprise, it doesn’t mean the path to power will be easy.

First off, the CDU-CSU don’t have a majority so they need to try to build a coalition.

Their most obvious choices as partners are the third-place Social Democrats. A two-party coalition is preferred as it can avoid excess bickering but the SPD and CDU disagree on several key points including sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Follow live: Germany’s election results

Forming a government can take months but Mr Merz is keen to speed up the process – aware of the pressing issues both at home and abroad.

One of those is the rise of the far right, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrating historic results.

The initial results suggest that for the first time since the Second World War, a far-right party has got the second highest number of votes.

That could also cause serious issues for the next government.

As a result of Germany‘s Nazi history, mainstream parties have a long-running pact known as the “firewall” which says they will not work with the far right.

Even before the polls had closed, AfD leader Alice Weidel echoed Donald Trump and released a video statement urging people to “observe” the ballots being counted and to “protect democracy”.

Many of the AfD’s supporters have said not allowing the second most popular party into government is undemocratic, threatening to take to the streets.

The US vice president JD Vance also sparked outrage when he spoke out against the firewall at the recent Munich Security Conference and suggested the new Trump administration would be ready to work with the AfD.

Conversely, in the run-up to the election, hundreds of thousands of Germans have protested to demand that the firewall remains.

In January, Mr Merz caused controversy when a draft motion got through parliament with AfD support, he’s since vowed he will not go into government with them.

If he sticks to that pledge then he is likely to see right-wing demonstrations as well becoming a target of prominent AfD backers including Elon Musk.

The AfD’s result also cannot be ignored. While some of the vote may be a protest, the party has expanded its traditional base in the east to pick up support in the west.

Dissatisfaction over migration, the economy, rocketing prices and the war in Ukraine have all helped to grow its ranks as people feel ignored by mainstream parties.

Mr Merz has already tried to win back some of its voters by proposing tough migration reforms including permanent checks on the borders and potentially turning away some asylum seekers when they try to enter.

If he fails to deliver on these promises then the AfD will continue to make gains.

Other urgent to dos for the next government include sorting out Germany’s economy following two years of recession and restoring its position at the centre of the EU.

Ministers must also face up to the fact their traditional allies are no longer guaranteed.

The Trump administration appears to be ripping up the rule book when it comes to being a protector of Europe and its ongoing support for Ukraine.

If America steps back, as Europe’s largest power and Ukraine’s largest European backer, Germany will have to step up.

Again, that’s going to be a big challenge as its military needs to be transformed.

The final results are not even confirmed yet but whatever form it takes, the next government knows it has four years to fix Germany, if it fails then populists are highly likely to ride to power in 2029.