Excess Sugar Eaten Turns Into Fat Around The Heart And Belly

Excess sugar eaten turns into fat around the heart and belly

Scientists measured the amount of body fat using CT scans of thousands of volunteers. It turned out that the amount of body fat is directly related to the amount of added sugar eaten.

Photo: CC0 Public Domain

The use of foods that contain sugar is associated with the deposition of fat in "dangerous" locations - primarily in the heart and abdominal cavity. This was shown by a long-term study by scientists from the Minnesota School of Public Health, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Added sugar is sugar that is not naturally found in foods. It is added during cooking in the form of granulated sugar or syrup, and is also eaten with a bite. Its common sources in the diet are sugary drinks, confectionery, baked goods, some dairy products, and various processed foods.

When we eat too much sugar, the body turns excess sugar into fat, which is stored in various fat stores. Adipose tissue can produce substances hazardous to health.

Scientists analyzed data on how much sugar ate more than 3 thousand participants aged 18 to 30 years. Observations lasted for at least 20 years, after which the amount of body fat in the participants was determined using computed tomography for 25 years of the study.

The study found that sugar consumption over a 20-year period was directly related to how much fat was found in the body, primarily around internal organs.

"Body fat is known to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes," said Dr. Lyn Steffen, co-author of the study.

Scientists advise to reduce the amount of added sugar in the diet: drink water instead of sugary drinks, choose healthy snacks over sweets. They remind you that you can find out the amount of sugar and easily digestible carbohydrates by reading the packaging of goods.