Cutting back on sweets may help your heart and your teeth. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, consuming excessive amounts of sugar may lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels.

 

Specifically, researchers found added sugar to be the problem. That includes sugar can, high-fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice and honey, all of which sweeten packaged foods like sodas and fruit drinks, cereal and candy. Eating too much added sugar, according to the study, can result in lower-than-normal levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and higher-than-normal levels of blood fats known as triglycerides. Both factors increase chances of developing heart disease. Fruit and low-fat dairy products, however, are packed with healthy nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals, as well as natural sugar.

 

The American Heart Association recommends that women eat less than 100 calories of added sugar a day (about 6 teaspoons), and that men have less than 150 calories (about 9 teaspoons). It adds up fast: 1 single 12-ounce soda has 9 teaspoons of added sugar. Processed foods, too, are often packed with hidden added sugar.

 

In the Know - by Stephanie Guzowski

From HeartCare Health Monitor Summer 2010 edition

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