Heart Health
A sugary diet may harm your heart
Naturally occurring sugars in fruits and vegetables aren't the problem. It's the added sugar in drinks, desserts, and other foods you need to watch.
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
When it comes to carbohydrates and cardiovascular health, the evidence suggests that quality trumps quantity — that is, the type of carbohydrate-rich food you consume matters more than the amount. A new study suggests that's especially the case for sugar, one of the most abundant carbohydrates in the typical American diet.
Sugars occur naturally in many whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains. But the majority of sugar in our diets is added sugar, which comes mostly from high-fructose corn syrup or sucrose. Also known as table sugar, sucrose is extracted mainly from sugar cane and sugar beets.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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