While it is well-known that a high intake of sugary foods and beverages is bad for your health, a new study found that limiting the consumption of these products leads to large scale benefits for the population.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and other diseases can all be drastically decreased at a societal level by reducing sugary food and drink consumption, according to a study published in the journal Circulation.
If the sugar reduction targets set by the US National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative (NSSRI) are met, 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events and 490,000 cardiovascular disease deaths could be prevented over a lifetime. Sugar intake reductions could also prevent 750,000 diabetes cases and add 6.67 million quality-adjusted life-years.
NSSRI is a coalition of organizations and health authorities in the US that is led by the New York City Health Department. The initiative’s goal is to promote gradual, achievable, and meaningful reductions in sugar content. One way they strive to achieve their goal is by establishing sugar and salt reduction targets and encouraging food and beverage companies to commit to meeting them.
The recommendations, which were updated in February 2021, emphasize the health risks associated with high added sugar consumption as well as the need for a food supply that is generally lower in added sugars so that healthy choices are accessible and more affordable for consumers.
Sugar reduction strategies offered in the report include companies adapting to meet guidance maximums, or suggested limits for sugar density in various types of products. For example, the 2018 baseline for breakfast cereals was 27.4 g of sugar per 100 g. The report recommends reducing that to 24.7 g of sugar per 100 g by 2023 and to 22.0 g of sugar per 100 g by 2026. The report also states that companies should encourage consumers to switch to unsweetened versions or alternatives of products, but not those containing low and no calorie sweeteners as they are not healthy alternatives. In addition, the NSSRI recommends companies decrease portion sizes for single-serving items.
On top of the numerous, population-wide health benefits, the Circulation study also found worthy monetary benefits to following NSSRI’s sugar reduction guidelines. If met, $160.88 billion in net costs could be saved over a lifetime. The policy would become cost-effective after only six years, and cost-saving after nine years. Furthermore, the adjustments may result in the biggest health gains per million adults among African-Americans and Hispanics, as well as lower-income and less-educated Americans, reducing inequities.
It is imperative that companies and organizations continue working to make healthy choices widely available, as the significant long-term health benefits of low sugar intake are clear.
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