08/30/2025
A 15-year study in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that added sugar may be a bigger threat to your heart than cholesterol—more than doubling the risk of dying from heart disease, even if you’re not overweight.
People who got 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar were over twice as likely to die from heart disease as those consuming less than 10%. The danger increased with higher sugar intake, regardless of age, weight, activity level, or cholesterol numbers.
Top sources include sugary drinks (over a third of added sugar in U.S. diets), desserts, candy, sweetened cereals, and fruit drinks. Excess sugar may raise blood pressure and cause the liver to release harmful fats into the blood—both key heart disease risks.
The American Heart Association advises a daily limit of 6 teaspoons (100 calories) for women and 9 teaspoons (150 calories) for men. A single can of soda can exceed these limits. Experts recommend swapping soda for fruit-infused seltzer and opting for fruit-based or unsweetened desserts to protect your heart.
