People with a pronounced taste for sweet foods are more likely to suffer from depression, diabetes and even cardiovascular disease, according to a study carried out on 180,000 volunteers.
- A new study finds that people with a strong preference for sweet foods are at increased risk of depression, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- By comparing the biological data of 180,000 participants, researchers identified three dietary profiles: those who are conscious of their health and follow a healthy diet, omnivores and lovers of sweets.
- The latter had a 31% additional risk of developing depression. They also had elevated markers of inflammation and abnormal glucose levels, warning signs of heart disease and diabetes.
Our penchant for sugary foods can have serious consequences on our physical and mental health. This is, in essence, the conclusion of a new study carried out by the University of Surrey, in the United Kingdom: people who give pride of place to sugary foods in their diet would be more exposed to increased risks of depression, diabetes or even strokes.
Healthy diet… or sweet?
To reach this conclusion, published in the Journal of Translational Medicinethe researchers relied on data from 180,000 people from the British Biobank. Using artificial intelligence, they grouped participants according to their dietary preferences: those conscious of their health, who favor fruits and vegetables and eat few sugary foods; omnivores, who consume a wide variety of foods (meat, fish, vegetables, desserts, etc.); sugar lovers, who favor sugary treats and drinks while neglecting healthier options.
The team of scientists then compared nearly 3,000 proteins and around a hundred metabolites present in the volunteers’ blood samples, in order to understand the biological differences between these three food groups. As a reminder, “Proteins are the body’s workhorses, from fighting infections to muscle contractions and thinking,” according to a press release. Metabolites are small molecules produced during digestion and other chemical processes, which “can reveal a lot about the proper functioning of our body”.
Sugar: more depression, diabetes and heart disease
The results were clear: lovers of sweet foods have health indicators – physical and mental – that are much more alarming than others. “We found that the sugar-loving group had a 31% increased risk of developing depression.”say the researchers. Not to mention that it had higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to the other two groups. In detail, blood tests of sugar lovers showed higher levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, as well as abnormal glucose levels and lipid profiles, warning signs of heart disease and diabetes.
Conversely, people who were more conscious of their diet, with a higher fiber intake, had a reduced risk of heart disease, chronic kidney failure and stroke. The omnivorous group had moderate health risks.
While, according to the British Nutrition Foundation, 9 to 12.5% of calories consumed by an adult in the United Kingdom come from added sugars, this study reminds us of the importance of reviewing our eating habits to preserve our long-term health. “We must encourage thinking before eating”estimate the researchers.
