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Why Sugary Drinks Pose Higher Health Risks Than Desserts
Food & Wine • • health
Key Points:
- Since the late 1970s, added sugar consumption in the U.S. has increased by 30%, despite government warnings to limit intake, with the latest recommendation capping added sugars at 6% of daily calories.
- A 2024 Lund University study involving nearly 70,000 Swedish adults found that sweetened beverages significantly increase the risk of several cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- The study suggests that liquid sugars in beverages contribute more to health risks than solid sugar sources like treats, which may be associated with better cardiovascular outcomes when consumed occasionally.
- A 2025 meta-analysis by Brigham Young University researchers corroborated these findings, showing that
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