Association between added sugar intake and mortality is nonlinear and dependent on sugar source in 2 Swedish population–based prospective cohorts

ABSTRACT Background Although sugar consumption has been associated with several risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, evidence for harmful long-term effects is lacking. In addition, most studies have focused on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), not sugar per se. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the associations between added and free sugar intake, intake of different sugar sources, and mortality risk. Methods Two prospective population-based cohorts were examined: the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS; n = 24,272), which collected dietary data by combining a food diary, interview, and food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and the Northern Swedish Health and Disease Study (NSHDS; n = 24,475), which assessed diet with an FFQ. Sugar intakes defined as both added and free sugar and different sugar sources were examined. The associations with mortality were examined using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Higher sugar consumption was associated with a less favorable lifestyle in general. The lowest mortality risk was found with added sugar intakes between 7.5% and 10% of energy (E%) intake in both cohorts. Intakes >20E% were associated with a 30% increased mortality risk, but increased risks were also found at intakes <5E% [23% in the MDCS and 9% (nonsignificant) in the NSHDS]. Similar U-shaped associations were found for both cardiovascular and cancer mortality in the MDCS. By separately analyzing the different sugar sources, the intake of SSBs was positively associated with mortality, whereas the intake of treats was inversely associated. Conclusions Our findings indicate that a high sugar intake is associated with an increased mortality risk. However, the risk is also increased among low sugar consumers, although they have a more favorable lifestyle in general. In addition, the associations are dependent on the type of sugar source.

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Significance of sugar intake in young adults: a review

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2021-0116 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Akshatha Shetty

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Premature Death ◽

World Health ◽

Calorie Intake ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Sugar Consumption ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Strong Recommendation ◽

Sugar Intake

Abstract Background Foodborne diseases non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the main reason of death, accounting for 38 million (68%) of the 56 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012. Lower-middle and middle-income countries accounted for nearly three-quarters of all NCD fatalities (28 million), as well as the bulk of illness and premature death (82%). An excessive consumption of added sugar is source of worry for its link to unhealthy nutrition quality, overweight, and the risk of NCDs among adolescents. A further source of worry is the link among free sugar consumption and tooth cavities in young adults. Dental infections are the most common NCDs worldwide in young adults, and despite significant advances in management and cure in recent decades, issues remain, resulting in pain, anxiety, functional limitations (which include failing school grades and attendance in children), and social severe disability due to missing teeth. Objectives The purpose of this report is to give suggestions on how to consume added sugar in order to mitigate the possibility of NCDs in children and young adults, with an emphasis on the care and mitigation of obesity and metabolic syndrome and tooth decay among young adults. Methods and materials The Keywords like adolescent, Health, Dental Caries, Obesity, Sugar Intake, Recommendation have been used to evaluate the standard of evidence discovered via current systematic reviews of the scientific literature relating to significance of sugar intake consumption and its effect in young adults. Results The relevant data from prospective studies was judged to be of good quality, but data from nationwide population-based studies was judged to be of extremely low quality. Free sweeteners should be used in moderation during one’s life, according to the World Health Organization (strong recommendation 1). WHO advises limiting natural sugar consumption to very little about 10% of total calorie intake among both grownups and children 2 (strong recommendation). Conclusions There is a significant association of prevalence of tooth decay, obesity due to sugar consumption at an alarming rate hence regulators as well as curriculum developers can utilize the recommendation reviewed by us to compare current free sugar intake levels in their nations to a benchmark. They may also be used to design ways to reduce free sugar consumption through a wide variety of social health initiatives, if required.

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Free and Added Sugar Consumption and Adherence to Guidelines: The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2014/15–2015/16)

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020393 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 393 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Birdem Amoutzopoulos ◽

Toni Steer ◽

Caireen Roberts ◽

David Collins ◽

Polly Page

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Food Diary ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Free Sugars ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Monitoring dietary intake of sugars in the population’s diet has great importance in evaluating the efficiency of national sugar reduction programmes. The study objective was to provide a comprehensive assessment of dietary sources of added and free sugars to assess adherence to public health recommendations in the UK population and to consider the impact of different sugar definitions on monitoring. The terms “added sugar” and “free sugar” are different sugar definitions which include different sugar components and may result in different sugar intakes depending on the definition. Dietary intake of added sugars, free sugars and seven individual sugar components (sugar from table sugar; other sugars; honey; fruit juice; fruit puree; dried fruit; and stewed fruit) of 2138 males and females (1.5–64 years) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2014–2016, collected using a 4 day estimated food diary, were studied. Added and free sugar intake accounted for 7% to 13% of total energy intake respectively. Major sources of free sugar intake were “cereals and cereal products”, “non-alcoholic beverages”, and “sugars, preserves, confectionery”. Differences between added and free sugar intake were significantly large, and thus use of free sugar versus added sugar definitions need careful consideration for standardised monitoring of sugar intake in relation to public health.

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Association between added sugar intake and micronutrient dilution: a cross-sectional study in two adult Swedish populations

Nutrition & Metabolism ◽

10.1186/s12986-020-0428-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Esther González-Padilla ◽

Joana A. Dias ◽

Stina Ramne ◽

Kjell Olsson ◽

Cecilia Nälsén ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Population Based ◽

Food Diary ◽

Swedish Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The evidence on the impact of high sugar consumption on micronutrient dilution does not yet allow for the establishment of clear thresholds of consumption. To establish upper and lower limit intake thresholds for added sugar, more studies from different countries and multiple populations are needed. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the intakes of added sugar and various micronutrients among the adult Swedish population across almost two decades. Methods The data were obtained from the samples from two populations: 1) Riksmaten Adults, a national dietary survey (n = 1797, 44% male, aged 18–80 years, data collection from 2010 to 11) that assessed dietary intake using a 4-day web-based food diary; and 2) the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a population-based cohort study (n = 12,238, 45% male, aged 45–68 years, data collection from 1991 to 1994) that assessed dietary intake via a combination of a 7-day food diary, a food frequency questionnaire and an interview. The mean daily intake of nine micronutrients (calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc), adjusted for age, sex, BMI and energy intake, were examined across six added-sugar-intake groups (< 5%E, 5–7.5%E, 7.5–10%E, 10–15%E, 15–20%E, and > 20%E). Results We observed significant inverse associations between the intake of added sugar and the intake of all micronutrients in both populations. The associations were linear; however, we could not determine the threshold of added sugar intake beyond which the micronutrient intake was clearly compromised. Conclusions These findings suggest that in two Swedish populations the higher the intake of added sugar in the diet, the more likely it is that the intake of micronutrients will be compromised, in two Swedish populations. However, although the trends are significant and consistent with those obtained in other studies on the subject, future studies are needed in order to build the necessary scientific knowledge to establish a threshold of added sugar intake based on micronutrient dilution.

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Associations between Free Sugar and Sugary Beverage Intake in Early Childhood and Adult NAFLD in a Population-Based UK Cohort

Children ◽

10.3390/children8040290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 290

Author(s):

Ahlia Sekkarie ◽

Jean A. Welsh ◽

Kate Northstone ◽

Aryeh D. Stein ◽

Usha Ramakrishnan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Energy ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Population Based ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Free Sugars ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Sugary Beverages ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

(1) Background: High sugar intake is prevalent among children and is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study is to determine if a high intake of free sugars and sugary beverages (SB) in childhood is associated with NAFLD in adulthood; (2) Methods: At 24 years, 3095 participants were assessed for severe hepatic steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter >280 dB/m) and had dietary data collected via a food frequency questionnaire at age three years. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for total energy intake, potential confounders, and a mediator (offspring body mass index (BMI) at 24 years); (3) Results: Per quintile increase of free sugar intake association with severe hepatic steatosis at 24 years after adjusting for total energy was odds ratio (OR):1.07 (95% CL: 0.99–1.17). Comparing the lowest vs. the highest free sugar consumers, the association was OR:1.28 (95% CL: 0.88–1.85) and 1.14 (0.72, 1.82) after full adjustment. The OR for high SB consumption (>2/day) compared to <1/day was 1.23 (95% CL: 0.82–1.84) and OR: 0.98 (95% CL: 0.60–1.60) after full adjustment; (4) Conclusions: High free sugar and SB intake at three years were positively but weakly associated with severe hepatic steatosis at 24 years. These associations were completely attenuated after adjusting for confounders and 24-year BMI.

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The Risk of Mortality among Psoriatic Patients with Varying Severity: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122622 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2622 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ying-Xiu Dai ◽

Ming-Chun Hsu ◽

Hsiao-Yun Hu ◽

Yun-Ting Chang ◽

Tzeng-Ji Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Psoriasis Patient ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Severe Psoriasis ◽

Control Group ◽

Research Database ◽

Control Subjects

Background: Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding the mortality risk in psoriasis patients with respect to disease severity and presence of psoriatic arthritis. This study aimed to determine the mortality risk in patients with mild and severe psoriasis and patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2002 and 2012. Incident psoriasis subjects were classified into two groups: psoriasis without arthritis and psoriasis with arthritis. Patients who had received systemic therapy and/or phototherapy were classified as having severe psoriasis; otherwise, patients were classified as having mild psoriasis. Control subjects without psoriasis were selected to match each psoriasis patient from the database within the same observational period. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare the hazard ratio (HR) of time to death. Results: A total of 106,701 patients with psoriasis were included in this study. After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, psoriasis patients had a higher mortality risk compared with the control group (HR 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 1.46). Compared with psoriasis alone, the mortality risk was not increased for PsA (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.10). Besides, severe psoriasis did not increase mortality risk compared with mild psoriasis (HR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.06). Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis had a higher mortality risk compared with control subjects, whereas psoriasis severity and presence of PsA had no impact on mortality risk in psoriasis patients.

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Naturally occurring and added sugar in relation to macronutrient intake and food consumption: results from a population-based study in adults

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2017.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Niina E. Kaartinen ◽

Minna E. Similä ◽

Noora Kanerva ◽

Liisa M. Valsta ◽

Kennet Harald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Food Group ◽

Population Based ◽

Food Groups ◽

Genetic Determinants ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Naturally Occurring

AbstractAssociations between sugar intake and the remaining diet are poorly described in modern food environments. We aimed at exploring associations of high naturally occurring and added sugar intakes with sociodemographic characteristics, intake of macronutrients, fibre and selected food groups. Our data comprised 4842 Finnish adults aged 25–74 years, who participated in the population-based DIetary, Lifestyle and Genetic determinants of Obesity and Metabolic syndrome (DILGOM) study. Diet was assessed by a validated 131-item FFQ. The food item disaggregation approach was used to estimate sucrose and fructose intakes from natural sources (naturally occurring sugar) and all other sources (added sugar). Sex-specific trends in macronutrient, fibre and food group intakes across sugar type quartiles were determined with general linear modelling adjusting for age, energy intake, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, education and BMI. Overall, results were similar across sexes. Young age was found to be a determinant of higher added sugar and lower naturally occurring sugar intakes (P < 0·0001). High added sugar intake was associated with low fibre intake (P < 0·0001) accompanied with lower fruit (P < 0·0001 women; P = 0·022 men) and vegetable consumption (P < 0·0001) and higher wheat consumption (P = 0·0003 women; P < 0·0001 men). Opposite results were found for naturally occurring sugar. Butter consumption increased by 28–32 % (P < 0·0001) when shifting from the lowest to the highest added sugar intake quartile, while a decrease of 26–38 % (P < 0·0001) was found for naturally occurring sugar. Therefore, the associations of sugar types with dietary carbohydrate and fat quality seem opposing. Proper adjustments with dietary variables are needed when studying independent relationships between sugar and health.

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Maternal intake of sugar during pregnancy and childhood respiratory and atopic outcomes

European Respiratory Journal ◽

10.1183/13993003.00073-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 1700073 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Annabelle Bédard ◽

Kate Northstone ◽

A. John Henderson ◽

Seif O. Shaheen

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Population Based ◽

Atopic Asthma ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Serum Total Ige ◽

In Pregnancy

The possible role of maternal consumption of free sugar during pregnancy in the inception of respiratory and atopic diseases has not been studied. We aimed to study the relationship between maternal intake of free sugar during pregnancy and respiratory and atopic outcomes in the offspring in a population-based birth cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.We analysed associations between maternal intake of free sugar in pregnancy (estimated by a food frequency questionnaire), and current doctor-diagnosed asthma, wheezing, hay fever, eczema, atopy, serum total IgE and lung function in children aged 7–9 years (n=8956 with information on maternal diet in pregnancy and at least one outcome of interest).After controlling for potential confounders, maternal intake of free sugar was positively associated with atopy (OR for highest versus lowest quintile of sugar intake 1.38, 95% CI 1.06–1.78; per quintile p-trend=0.006) and atopic asthma (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.23–3.29; per quintile p-trend=0.004). These associations were not confounded by intake of sugar in early childhood, which was unrelated to these outcomes.Our results suggest that a higher maternal intake of free sugar during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of atopy and atopic asthma in the offspring, independently of sugar intake in early childhood.

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Associations Between Anemia, Cognitive Impairment, and All-Cause Mortality in Oldest-Old Adults: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.613426 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Jia Wangping ◽

Han Ke ◽

Wang Shengshu ◽

Song Yang ◽

Yang Shanshan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

Increased Risk ◽

All Cause Mortality

Objective: To evaluate the combined effects of anemia and cognitive function on the risk of all-cause mortality in oldest-old individuals.Design: Prospective population-based cohort study.Setting and Participants: We included 1,212 oldest-old individuals (men, 416; mean age, 93.3 years).Methods: Blood tests, physical examinations, and health questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2012 were used for baseline data. Mortality was assessed in the subsequent 2014 and 2018 survey waves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate anemia, cognitive impairment, and mortality risk. We used restricted cubic splines to analyze and visualize the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and mortality risk.Results: A total of 801 (66.1%) deaths were identified during the 6-year follow-up. We noted a significant association between anemia and mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.54) after adjusting for confounding variables. We also observed a dose-response relationship between the severity of anemia and mortality (P < 0.001). In the restricted cubic spline models, Hb levels had a reverse J-shaped association with mortality risk (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.93 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 130 g/L). The reverse J-shaped association persisted in individuals without cognitive impairment (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79–0.98 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 110 g/L). For people with cognitive impairment, Hb levels were inversely associated with mortality risk (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78–0.89 per 10 g/L-increase in Hb levels below 150 g/L). People with anemia and cognitive impairment had the highest risk of mortality (HR 2.60, 95% CI 2.06–3.27).Conclusion: Our results indicate that anemia is associated with an increased risk of mortality in oldest-old people. Cognitive impairment modifies the association between Hb levels and mortality.

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Breath 13CO2 - evidence for a non-invasive biomarker to measure added refined sugar uptake

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00648.2020 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Roger Yazbeck ◽

Gordon S. Howarth ◽

Margaret Kosek ◽

Geoffrey P. Davidson ◽

Ross N. Butler

Keyword(s):

Corn Starch ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sugar Uptake ◽

Chow Diet ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Longitudinal Assessment ◽

Sugar Consumption ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Non Invasive

Increased consumption of added sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup in the human diet has been associated with increasing incidence of obesity and metabolic disease. There are currently no reliable, objective biomarkers for added sugar intake that could be used in individuals or population settings. 13C is a stable isotope of carbon and measurement of blood 13C content has been proposed as a marker of added sugar consumption. This study aimed to determine if breath 13CO2 could represent an alternative, non-invasive biomarker to monitor added sugar intake. We undertook retrospective analyses of eight pre-clinical and human 13C-breath studies to define baseline breath 13CO2 characteristics. All samples were analysed using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and breath 13CO2 was expressed as the delta value, δ expressed as parts per thousand (‰). All data is expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean, with statistical significance considered at p<0.05. Breath δ13CO2 was significantly elevated in a cumulative manner in rats and mice that consumed a diet containing at least 15% sucrose. Mice fed an American rodent chow diet containing 50% sucrose and 15% corn starch had a significantly higher breath δ13CO2 compared to rodents consuming an Australian rodent chow diet. Furthermore, breath δ13CO2 was significantly increased in a dose dependent manner in humans that ingested a bolus dose of sucrose. These findings suggest application for baseline breath δ13CO2 as a non-invasive biomarker for added sugar consumption, with broad application for longitudinal assessment of population sugar intake and obesity management strategies.

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Excess mortality associated with eating disorders: population-based cohort study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.2020.197 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tomisin Iwajomo ◽

Susan J. Bondy ◽

Claire de Oliveira ◽

Patricia Colton ◽

Kathryn Trottier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Excess Mortality ◽

Population Based ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Years Of Life Lost ◽

All Cause Mortality

Background Individuals with eating disorders have a high mortality risk. Few population-based studies have estimated this risk in eating disorders other than anorexia nervosa. Aims To investigate all-cause mortality in a population-based cohort of individuals who received hospital-based care for an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or eating disorder not otherwise specified) in Ontario, Canada. Method We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 19 041 individuals with an eating disorder from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2013 using administrative healthcare data. The outcome of interest was death. Excess mortality was assessed using standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and potential years of life lost (PYLL). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine sociodemographic and medical comorbidities associated with greater mortality risk. Results The cohort had 17 108 females (89.9%) and 1933 males (10.1%). The all-cause mortality for the entire cohort was five times higher than expected compared with the Ontario population (SMR = 5.06; 95% CI 4.82–5.30). SMRs were higher for males (SMR = 7.24; 95% CI 6.58–7.96) relative to females (SMR = 4.59; 95% CI 4.34–4.85) overall, and in all age groups in the cohort. For both genders, the cohort PYLL was more than six times higher than the expected PYLL in the Ontario population. Conclusions Patients with eating disorders diagnosed in hospital settings experience five to seven times higher mortality rates compared with the overall population. There is an urgent need to understand the mortality risk factors to improve health outcomes among individuals with eating disorders.

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