Mixed
High sugar intake is associated with increased risk of dental caries, overweight, and cardio-metabolic risk factors, although the direct causal link to body adiposity may be mediated by total energy intake rather than sugar itself.
Reducing sugar intake is a valid strategy for improving health, particularly for dental health and metabolic markers like blood pressure and lipids. However, for weight management, the key factor is total energy intake. Replacing sugar with other carbohydrates without reducing overall calories will not lead to weight loss. Prioritize reducing high-calorie sweet products and beverages to lower total energy intake.
These concerns are justified by studies and reports indicating that high intakes of sugars are associated with an increased risk of dental caries, overweight and cardio-metabolic risk factors and mortality... the change in body adiposity that occurs with modifying sugar intakes seems to be mediated via changes in energy intakes, since isoenergetic exchange of sugars with other carbohydrates is not associated with a difference in weight change.
Why this rating
Cites multiple studies [3-8] supporting associations with disease, though noting controversy on direct weight causality.
Source
A review of total & added sugar intakes and dietary sources in Europe
Véronique Azaïs‐Braesco et al. · Nutrition Journal · 2017
DOI 10.1186/s12937-016-0225-2
Related findings · Mixed
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