Cutting the amount of sugar in the first 1000 days of a baby’s life could reduce the risk of chronic illnesses later, a study has found.
Scientists from the University of Southern California found that restricting sugar intake to levels in early life was linked to a 35% drop in rates of type 2 diabetes in middle age and a 20% fall in high blood pressure.
Tadeja Gračner, lead researcher of the study said: ‘We all want to improve our health and give our children the best start in life, and reducing added sugar early is a powerful step in that direction. But it’s far from easy. Added sugar is everywhere, even in baby and toddler foods, and children are bombarded with TV ads for sugary snacks. With better information, environment and the right incentives, parents can more easily reduce sugar exposure for their kids and themselves.’
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The researchers took advantage of a natural experiment in the UK when a decade of postwar sugar and sweets rationing ended in 1953. Consumption of sugar nearly doubled soon after the restrictions were lifted, from about 40g to 80g a day.
The researchers analysed the UK Biobank and found 60,000 people who were born between 1951 and 1956 and had their health regularly monitored.
This allowed them insight into the health of those born during rationing and those born shortly after. They found a 30% reduction in the risk of obesity among the sugar-rationed babies. However, the risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure increased with age, but it increased faster in those conceived after the sugar-rationing ended.
Responding to the study, Professor Keith Godfrey, specialising in nutrition and health at the University of Southampton, said the research provides ‘convincing new evidence’ about the importance of reducing sugar intake for lasting benefits.
‘The findings are in keeping with our research showing lower rates of obesity in the children of mothers who eat low glycaemic index foods during pregnancy that are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a slower rise in blood sugar levels,’ he said.
The NHS recommends that free sugars – those added to food and drinks and found naturally in honeys, syrups and unsweetened fruit and vegetable drinks – should not make up more than 5% of daily calories, equivalent to 30g or seven sugar cubes for an adult. There is no guideline for children under four, but they are advised to avoid sugar-sweetened drinks and food with added sugar.