Caloric Sweetener Consumption and Dyslipidemia Among US Adults

Abstract

Context Dietary carbohydrates have been associated with dyslipidemia, a lipid profile known to increase cardiovascular disease risk. Added sugars (caloric sweeteners used as ingredients in processed or prepared foods) are an increasing and potentially modifiable component in the US diet. No known studies have examined the association between the consumption of added sugars and lipid measures. Objective To assess the association between consumption of added sugars and blood lipid levels in US adults. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional study among US adults (n=6113) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2006. Respondents were grouped by intake of added sugars using limits specified in dietary recommendations (<5% [reference group], 5%–<10%, 10%–<17.5%, 17.5%–<25%, and ≥25% of total calories). Linear regression was used to estimate adjusted mean lipid levels. Logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios of dyslipidemia. Interactions between added sugars and sex were evaluated. Main Outcome Measures Adjusted mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), geometric mean triglycerides, and mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and adjusted odds ratios of dyslipidemia, including low HDL-C levels (<40 mg/dL for men; <50 mg/dL for women), high triglyceride levels (≥150 mg/dL), high LDL-C levels (≥130 mg/dL), or high ratio of triglycerides to HDL-C (>3.8). Results were weighted to be representative of the US population. Results A mean of 15.8% of consumed calories was from added sugars. Among participants consuming less than 5%, 5% to less than 17.5%, 17.5% to less than 25%, and 25% or greater of total energy as added sugars, adjusted mean HDL-C levels were, respectively, 58.7, 57.5, 53.7, 51.0, and 47.7 mg/dL (P<.001 for linear trend), geometric mean triglyceride levels were 105, 102, 111, 113, and 114 mg/dL (P<.001 for linear trend), and LDL-C levels modified by sex were 116, 115, 118, 121, and 123 mg/dL among women (P=.047 for linear trend). There were no significant trends in LDL-C levels among men. Among higher consumers (≥10% added sugars) the odds of low HDL-C levels were 50% to more than 300% greater compared with the reference group (<5% added sugars). Conclusion In this study, there was a statistically significant correlation between dietary added sugars and blood lipid levels among US adults.

Self-Organizing Maps of Nutrition, Lifestyle and Health Situation in the World

“…An interesting finding, shown in figure5, indicated a clear correlation between high consumption of sugar or sweeteners and a prevalence of cholesterol in men and women. This result appears to be an important finding from the health point of view (see also [11,12]). …”

Food sources of free sugars in children’s diet and identification of lifestyle patterns associated with free sugars intake: the GRECO (Greek Childhood Obesity) study

“…Following the worldwide trend revealing a considerable increase in overweight (OW) and OB prevalence during childhood in developed countries (6,7) , recent studies in Greek populations show very high rates of childhood OW and OB and aggravating dietary and lifestyle habits (8,9) . The potential link between excessive intake of free sugars, OB and other health outcomes, including diabetes and CVD risk factor alterations, has been pointed out as an important public health matter, not only in adults but in adolescents as well (10)(11)(12)(13) . Studies on the effects of sugar consumption on weight status or gain have shown mixed results.…”

Added sugars: Definitions, classifications, metabolism and health implications

“…Evidence indicating the relationship between the consumption of added sugars and colorectal cancer has also been published [44][45][46]. Furthermore, the increase in plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and the decrease in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), is typical of dyslipidemia [47] and may be caused by excessive consumption of added sugars [48]. Individuals with higher intakes of added sugars had higher serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL levels than those with lower intake, according to a systematic review [49].…”