In a study published by CNN, scientists revealed that reducing sugar intake could significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 35% and decrease the likelihood of high blood pressure by approximately 20%. They also found that the onset of these diseases could be delayed, with type 2 diabetes being pushed back by about four years and high blood pressure by two years.
This research was based on analyzing data before and after the end of the sugar rationing program in post-World War II Britain, which concluded in September 1953. From January 1940, the UK implemented food rationing to cope with shortages during the war. This led to reduced access to products like sugar, fats, bacon, meat, and cheese.
When sugar rationing ended in September 1953, the daily sugar consumption of adults in Britain nearly doubled in a short period, increasing from around 40g to 80g.
Research Highlights: Reducing Sugar Intake Significantly Lowers Health Risks
Recent studies have utilized health data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biological database focusing on long-term human health tracking. Approximately 60,183 participants, born between October 1951 and March 1956, were examined to analyze the impact of increased sugar consumption before and after the end of rationing.
Tadeja Gracner, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California and the lead author of the study, remarked that the sugar restrictions during those years created an intriguing natural experiment.
Analysis over six years revealed that the risk of obesity in infants conceived or born during the rationing period was reduced by up to 30%. In contrast, children born after the sugar restrictions were lifted had an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The study also indicated that reducing sugar intake in pregnant mothers and young children could help curb a “lifetime preference” for sweet foods.
Long-Term Impact: Lower Obesity Risk for Infants Born During Rationing
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, individuals aged two and older are advised to limit their daily added sugar intake to less than 10% of total calories. However, with the pervasive presence of sugar in modern food, adhering to this recommendation can be challenging.
The researchers also noted that pregnant and breastfeeding women tend to consume added sugar at levels three times higher than recommended, often exceeding 80g per day. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many children aged one to five years struggle to meet their daily fruit and vegetable intake but regularly consume sugar-sweetened beverages.
Dr. Mark Corkins, chief of pediatric gastroenterology and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, suggests that to reduce sugar intake in young children, parents need to change their own habits and set an example for their offspring.
Other strategies to limit sugar exposure include replacing sugary drinks with healthier alternatives, removing snacks and sweet drinks from the home, and minimizing the appeal of sugary treats. Most importantly, practicing moderation in the consumption of sugary foods is key.
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