Added sugars increase heart disease and brain stroke risk, says expert

Added sugar is commonly found in processed foods and sodas in the form of glucose, sucrose, and fructose among others. A new study in the journal BMC Medicine says these sugars can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The total carbohydrate intake is not associated with heart health but free or added sugar intake is specifically linked to obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Researchers think the risk goes up as you consume more sugar.

Dr Atul Mathur of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Okhla told The Indian Express that refined sugars like sucrose and fructose undergo oxidative metabolism easily and increase the risk of heart and brain strokes. He explained that foods are processed mechanically and chemically. The former does not necessarily make food unhealthy but the latter does. Chemical processing involves artificial substances and leaves the foods with little to no nutritional value. When they undergo oxidative metabolism in the body, it releases free radicals that injure the vascular endothelial lining of the blood vessels.

Naturally occurring sugars in syrups, honey, fruit juice, vegetable juice, purees, and pastes can also increase this risk. However, packaged breads, chips, candy, frozen meats, ready-to-eat food, cereals, instant noodles, sodas, and aerated drinks are worse. Foods like hard-boiled eggs, whole grains, oatmeal, fresh fruit, salads, fresh chicken, fresh meat, berries, chia pudding, plain yoghurt, dates, sweet potatoes, and smoothies are on the safer side when it comes to heart health.