### The Impact of Sugar on Heart Health A recent study suggests that it's not just the amount of sugar you eat that can harm your heart, but the type of sugar you consume that can lead to heart disease. Researchers from the University of Oxford found that consuming foods high in 'free sugars' significantly raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Free sugars include all sugars added to food by manufacturers, cooks, or consumers, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and unsweetened fruit juice. These do not include sugars naturally occurring in whole fruits or vegetables. Rebecca Kelly, a researcher at Oxford Population Health, emphasized the importance of considering the type and source of sugars when assessing their impact on cardiovascular health. She suggested that replacing free sugars with non-free sugars, such as those found naturally in whole fruits and vegetables, along with a higher fiber intake, may help protect against cardiovascular disease. The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, examined data from 110,497 people in the United Kingdom over nine years. Participants ranged in age from 37 to 73 years old. The highest risk of heart disease was found among those who consumed around 95 grams of free sugar per day, which is about 18% of their daily calories. For context, U.S. guidelines recommend that less than 10% of daily calories come from added sugars. Additionally, the study confirmed previous research indicating that a higher intake of dietary fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. However, the researchers did not identify the major sources of free sugars in people's diets.