Eating dessert may be better for your heart than no sugar at all

LUND, Sweden — Good news for dessert lovers: that occasional slice of cake might actually be doing you a favor. Researchers from Lund University are revealing that not all sugar is created equal, and your approach to sweet treats could be more nuanced than the traditional “just say no” health advice.

Their new study published in Frontiers in Public Health discovered something unexpected: while sugary drinks are a heart health hazard, occasional treats might actually provide some cardiovascular benefits. The study, which tracked nearly 70,000 Swedish participants over more than two decades, found that the context of sugar consumption matters just as much as the amount.

“The most striking finding from our study is the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and cardiovascular disease risk,” says Suzanne Janzi, the study’s lead researcher, in a media release.

This surprising insight challenges simplistic dietary guidelines that lump all sugar together. Specifically, the team examined how added sugar intake relates to seven different types of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart failure, and heart attacks.

Scientists discovered that sweetened beverages pose the most significant threat to heart health. Drinking more than eight servings of sugary drinks per week was linked to higher risks of several cardiovascular conditions. Specifically, participants who consumed high amounts of sweetened beverages had a 19% higher risk of ischemic stroke, an 18% higher risk of heart failure, and a 31% higher risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms — they make you feel less full — potentially leading to overconsumption,” Janzi explains.

Surprisingly, the research found something unexpected about treats like pastries, ice cream, and chocolate. Contrary to what many might expect, people who consumed very few treats (two servings or less per week) actually had higher cardiovascular disease risks compared to those who consumed more.

The study followed participants between 45 and 83 years-old over more than two decades, making it one of the most comprehensive investigations of sugar’s long-term health impacts. Researchers collected detailed dietary information from participants in 1997 and again in 2009, tracking their sugar intake and subsequent health outcomes.

One of the most intriguing findings was how different sources of sugar seemed to have varying effects on heart health. While sweetened beverages consistently showed negative health associations, other sugar sources like table sugar, honey, and jams told a more complex story.

The most important takeaway? Moderation is key, and where you get your sugar matters. Participants consuming between 5% and 7.5% of their daily calories from added sugar actually showed lower risks of several cardiovascular diseases compared to those consuming higher amounts. With all that said, cutting back on sugary drinks might be a more effective health strategy than completely eliminating all sweet treats.