Excess sugar ‘can create heart problems for otherwise healthy people’

A high-sugar diet can create heart health problems for people who live otherwise healthy lifestyles, according to new research.

The University of Surrey study provided a group of otherwise healthy men with a high-sugar diet, revealing that the additional sugar content led to an increase in levels of fat in the blood and liver.

After 12 weeks on the high-sugar diet, men with a high level of liver fat – a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – showed changes in their fat metabolism that are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Meanwhile, those with a low level of liver fat at the start of the study saw their liver fat gradually increase due to their sugar intake, with their fat metabolism becoming similar to those with NAFLD.

Bruce Griffin, professor of nutritional metabolism, said: "While most adults don't consume the high levels of sugar we used in this study, some children and teenagers may reach these levels of sugar intake by over-consuming fizzy drinks and sweets."

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