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(Circulation. 2002;106:523.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
AHA Scientific Statement |
Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements diet nutrition sugar
| Introduction |
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| Definitions |
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| Sugar Consumption in the United States |
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| Sugar and Coronary Heart Disease |
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| Dietary Sugar and Plasma Lipoproteins |
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A diet high in sucrose (ie, >20% of energy) is associated with an elevation of plasma triglyceride concentrations.11,12 This increase is due to both increased hepatic secretion and impaired clearance of very-low-density lipoprotein. Triglyceride response to dietary sugar may vary, however, according to the amount of sugar and the presence of other nutrients.12
| Dietary Sugar, Insulin Resistance, and Diabetes |
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No epidemiological study has examined the effects of dietary sugar on insulin resistance. Several clinical studies have shown that altering the proportion of carbohydrates in the diet for up to 4 months in humans does not influence insulin resistance,19 but the effects of varying sugar content per se were not examined.
It is widely believed that individuals with diabetes should avoid sugar to maintain glycemic control. However, there is considerable debate about whether high-sugar diets have adverse effects on glucose control in diabetic individuals. A number of studies that assessed the effects of single meals containing 12% to 25% of calories as sucrose found no adverse effects of sucrose on average glycemia.20,21 Some long-term studies up to several months in duration showed that providing as much as 38% of calories as sucrose had no effect on average glucose control.2224 Diabetic individuals, however, may experience fluctuations in blood glucose levels with a habitual diet that is high in concentrated sweets, especially if they make errors with regard to the amount of carbohydrates they consume.
| Diet and Advanced Glycation End Products |
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| Dietary Sugar and Overweight/Obesity |
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| Sugar and Other Health Problems |
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Sugar intake can increase carbohydrate fuel reserves and physical performance.30 However, this enhancement occurs only at exercise intensities and levels of physical activity associated with endurance performance of at least 30 minutes in duration. Blood glucose and liver and muscle glycogen provide the predominant fuels for muscle contraction. When these substances reach critically low amounts, fatigue may occur and consumption of sugar may rapidly return blood glucose levels to normal. For most low- to moderate-intensity activities like walking or housework, sugar consumption does not influence performance.
Another major area of interest has been the relationship between dietary sugar and behavior and cognitive function. The belief in a relationship between sugar and hyperactivity was based on two hypotheses. The first was a possible allergic response; the second was that hyperactive children might experience functional reactive hypoglycemia. Neither of these hypotheses has been proved, and a meta-analysis of 16 randomized trials in hyperactive children showed that decreasing the sugar content of the diet resulted in no improvement in degree of hyperactivity.37
On the other hand, sugar is a well-established risk factor for dental caries.3840 This observation is based on short-term cohort studies and comparisons of rates of dental caries across countries with wide variations in sugar consumption,38 although there is a lack of research findings regarding sugar consumption and periodontal disease.41
| High-Sugar Diets and Nutritional Adequacy |
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| The Role of Dietary Fructose, Sorbitol, and Mannitol |
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| Summary and Conclusion |
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In the absence of definitive evidence, recommendations must rely on professional judgment. No data suggest that sugar intake per se is advantageous, and some data suggest it may be detrimental. The studies above, taken in total, indicate that high sugar intake should be avoided. Sugar has no nutritional value other than to provide calories. To improve the overall nutrient density of the diet and to help reduce the intake of excess calories, individuals should be sure foods high in added sugar are not displacing foods with essential nutrients or increasing calorie intake.
| Footnotes |
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This statement was approved by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee on October 19, 2001. A single reprint is available by calling 800-242-8721 (US only) or writing the American Heart Association, Public Information, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231-4596. Ask for reprint No. 71-0230. To purchase additional reprints: up to 999 copies, call 800-611-6083 (US only) or fax 413-665-2671; 1000 or more copies, call 410-528-4426, fax 410-528-4264, or e-mail kbradle@lww.com. To make photocopies for personal or educational use, call the Copyright Clearance Center, 978-750-8400.
*Glycemic load refers to a diet with many foods that have a high glycemic index. Glycemic index is a measure of the rise in glucose induced by ingestion of a carbohydrate. Foods that contain refined sugars make a major contribution to glycemic load; other contributors include refined starches, such as white bread and rice. It should be noted that glycemic index is determined by feeding individual foods. ![]()
| References |
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