Dangerous treatment: Consuming sugar in childhood has been linked to the development of a number of diseases

A new study finds that limiting sugar intake during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, highlighting the profound and long-lasting impact of early nutrition. Therefore, by limiting consumption of a single food at an early age, millions of adults could reduce their risk of serious diseases, writes the University of Southern California.

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A study published in the journal Science found that children who ate less sugar during this critical period, especially during the first 1,000 days after conception, had a 35% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a 20% lower risk of developing hypertension. Scientists say these findings suggest that restricting sugar even during the prenatal period has important health benefits, and that long-term low-sugar diets increase these effects.

The study enabled a “natural experiment” using data collected during the Second World War when sugar was rationed in Britain. Researchers from the University of Southern California, McGill University and the University of California, Berkeley examined data from the UK Biobank, which stores genetic, medical and life history information, and analyzed the long-term health outcomes of people born before and after birth. The rationing period lasted from 1942 to 1953.

This unique time context allowed researchers to compare the health of people exposed to significantly different sugar levels early in life; This would be difficult to replicate in modern settings where there is not such widespread dietary control. During rationing, sugar consumption averaged around 8 teaspoons per day, but after the restrictions ended, this rate doubled to 16 teaspoons. The impact of this change allowed researchers to create a strong contrast between people born during rationing and those who became pregnant soon after.

Lead author Tadeja Grakner, of the University of Southern California, emphasizes how difficult it is to assess the impact of sugar due to the difficulties of tracking diets for decades. This “natural experiment” allowed him and his team to conduct targeted studies on early-life sugar exposure and its effects on the onset and treatment of diseases throughout life.

One of the key findings was that people with limited exposure to sugar during their first 1,000 days of life not only had a lower risk but also later developed diabetes and hypertension, delaying the onset of these diseases by several years compared to those with sugar exposure. was higher at early ages. The study’s findings mirror current dietary guidelines, which recommend little or no added sugar for children under two.

The researchers highlighted the implications of these findings, noting the economic and quality benefits of low sugar intake from an early age. The financial impact is already being particularly noticeable in the United States, where the annual medical cost of diabetes treatment alone averages $12,000 per person. Such early prevention strategies could save billions of dollars in health care costs and increase life expectancy by reducing early diagnosis of diabetes and related chronic diseases, the authors say.

Previously Focus He wrote that aspartame is recognized as a “possible carcinogen.” The most common sweetener has been linked to cancer, prompting the WHO to make a statement.

Moreover Focus He wrote that sucralose may also be harmful to health. A popular sweetener is damaging our DNA.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are having problems, contact an expert.