Researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have launched a website called Sugar Science, which is an education and research initiative that points out the most convincing and influential findings regarding added sugar, as well as its health impacts.
The website is a collaborated effort of several health departments across the nation, health scientists from the Emory University School of Medicine, UCSF and UC Davis. The latest initiative involves a thorough review of over 8,000 papers published regarding the health impacts of added sugar.
Added sugars are syrups and sugars, which are added to beverages or food products when they are prepared or processed. Added sugar does not include the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits or milk. Soft drinks, energy drinks, candy, desserts and more usually have high levels of added sugar.
The study highlights the strong evidence that links added sugar consumption to chronic diseases such as liver problems, heart issues and type 2 diabetes. The research also points out at evidence that links Alzheimer's disease, various types of cancer to added sugar consumption. However, the authors of the study suggest that more research is required before these links are considered conclusive.
Laura Schmidt, a professor at UCSF's Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy, who is also the lead investigator of the study, reveals that an average American usually consumes about three times of the recommended added sugar per day. The consumption of added sugar also costs the health department millions of dollars each year.
"This is the definitive science that establishes the causative link between sugar and chronic disease across the population," says Laura.
The key aim of the initiative is to bring forward the scientific research about added sugar out from medical journals to the general public. This will help communities and individuals take an informed decision regarding their health.
Sugar Science explains by citing a research which suggests that drinking only one soda can a day can potentially increase that person's risk of dying from a heart disease by about 33 percent and spike the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by about 25 percent.
Researchers indicate that around two decades ago it was unheard of children getting type 2 diabetes. However, now over 13,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed for the disease per year. Diabetes is considered to be a devastating disease that can lead to other medical conditions such as obesity. Previous studies have established a direct link to the consumption of added sugar to diabetes.
Medical experts believe that it is high time for Americans to understand the health benefits of added sugar consumption and take a step forward to reduce diseases caused by over consumption of added sugar.
Check out Sugar Science to get more information on added sugar and its health impacts.
