A new study suggests that giving children sugar at a young age, even during pregnancy, increases their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. Limiting sugar exposure in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from gestation to age 2, can reduce the risk of diabetes by about 35% and hypertension by 20%, delaying disease onset by four and two years, respectively. The study used data from post-World War II sugar rationing in the UK to compare the health outcomes of adults conceived shortly before and after the rationing ended in 1953.
Participants born after the sugar rationing ended in July 1954 were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, and the risk of disease diagnosis increased with age for those with little or no exposure to rationing. The largest differences were observed after age 60, indicating the long-term effects of early sugar exposure. Sugar consumption can cause chronic inflammation, leading to heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and cancer. Sugar also fuels obesity and tooth decay, making it a significant public health concern in the US.
Despite recommendations against giving children under 2 foods and beverages with added sugars, over 70% of formula, infant foods, and beverages marketed to infants or toddlers contain added sugars. By age 2, many children consume the recommended adult daily sugar intake, which can lead to a lifelong preference for sweetness and increased sugar consumption throughout life. Early-life sugar exposure may impact health by intensifying a preference for sweets or addiction, potentially contributing to long-term health issues.
One limitation of the study is that researchers do not know precisely how much sugar the participants consumed during early childhood, indicating a need for further research to understand the optimal levels of added sugar consumption during pregnancy, lactation, and after the introduction of solids. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring sugar intake in children from an early age to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Increased awareness of the long-term consequences of sugar consumption during pregnancy and early childhood is essential for promoting better health outcomes in the future.
