Early-Life Sugar Restriction Protective on T2D and High Blood Pressure

A study comparing UK adults conceived just before or after sugar rationing ended found that early-life sugar rationing reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and high blood pressure (HBP). The sugar rationing ended in September 1953 restricted sugar intake to levels within current dietary guidelines, but consumption nearly doubled immediately post-rationing. There were 38,155 participants born from October 1951-June 1954 as rationed while the other 22,028 born from July 1954-March 1956 as non-rationed. Race, sex, family history of T2D, and genetic risk for obesity were similar between the two cohorts. Early-life sugar rationing reduced T2D and HBP risk by about 35% and 20%, respectively, and delayed disease onset by 4 and 2 years. Protection was evident with in-utero exposure and increased with postnatal sugar restriction, especially after six months when solid foods likely began. In-utero sugar rationing alone accounted for about one third of the risk reduction. The findings add to the mounting evidence of an association or causation between sugar consumption and development of T2D and HBP. Current guidelines recommend that sugar should be limited to less than 10% of adults’ total energy intake and that children under age 2 should not have added sugars. Source: https://www.science.org/