12/01/2026
Added Sugar Poses Greater Heart Risk Than Cholesterol, 15-Year Study Finds
A long-term study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that added sugar may be deadlier for the heart than cholesterol itself. Researchers tracked participants for 15 years and found that individuals who consumed 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar were more than twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to those who consumed less than 10%.
Notably, this elevated risk was independent of body weight, age, cholesterol levels, or physical activity, underscoring sugar’s direct harm to cardiovascular health.
Sugary drinks—accounting for over one-third of added sugar in U.S. diets—along with desserts, candy, sweetened cereals, and fruit drinks, were identified as top contributors. Excess intake can raise blood pressure and trigger the liver to release harmful fats into the bloodstream, key drivers of heart disease.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to just 6 teaspoons (100 calories) per day for women and 9 teaspoons (150 calories) for men. Yet a single can of soda can exceed these limits. Experts urge healthier swaps like fruit-infused sparkling water and naturally sweetened snacks to reduce risks.
