The science of sugar | TechKnow

Summary

Techno explores the alarming science of sugar, revealing its link to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The show delves into a University of California, Davis study that investigates sugar's impact on liver fat and cardiovascular risks, comparing high fructose corn syrup with artificial sweeteners. It highlights the rapid increase in health risks from sugar consumption, even in small amounts, and emphasizes the importance of natural sugars from fruits as a healthier alternative.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The global health crisis of obesity and diabetes is linked to high sugar consumption, particularly from sugary drinks.
• 📉 In 2014, the World Health Organization reported one in three adults worldwide were overweight, with 42 million children under five being overweight or obese.
• 📈 Mexico faces a severe obesity problem with 70% of adults overweight or obese, and the highest per capita soda consumption globally.
• 💼 Mexico's 10% excise tax on sugary drinks in 2014 is an example of policy measures being taken to combat obesity, with WHO advocating for a global sugar tax.
• 🔍 Research from Harvard University in 2014 found a significant link between sugar intake and cardiovascular disease mortality.
• 🧪 A study at the University of California, Davis, is exploring the effects of a sugary diet on the body over ten weeks, using MRI scans to monitor internal changes.
• 🧬 The study aims to determine if sugar, specifically high fructose corn syrup, causes an increase in cardiovascular risk factors, even without weight gain.
• 🍬 High fructose corn syrup is a cheaper alternative to sugar, leading to increased soda consumption and potential health risks.
• 🏥 The study involves a controlled diet and measures subjects' fat oxidation, blood lipid levels, and liver fat to understand the metabolic effects of sugar.
• 📉 Early results from the study indicate that even small amounts of high fructose corn syrup can significantly increase cardiovascular risk factors within just two weeks.
• 🍎 The advice from researchers is to limit all types of sugars and sweeteners and get sweetness from natural sources like fresh fruit.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Techno' show?

The 'Techno' show focuses on innovations that can change lives, exploring the intersection of hardware and humanity, and presenting science by scientists.

Why is sugar consumption a global health concern?

Sugar consumption, particularly of free sugars and sugary drinks, is a global health concern because it is linked to a large increase in cases of obesity and diabetes.

What percentage of adults worldwide were reported to be overweight in 2014 according to the World Health Organization?

In 2014, one in three adults worldwide were reported to be overweight.

What percentage of children under the age of five were reported to be overweight or obese in 2015?

In 2015, data showed that 42 million children under the age of five were overweight or obese, which is approximately 48% of those children.

Why does Mexico's National Institute of Public Health consider the obesity problem in the country to be worse than in other places?

In Mexico, the problem is considered worse because seventy percent of all adults are overweight or obese, and Mexicans drink more soda than anywhere else on the planet, with an average of 163 liters a year per person.

What measure did Mexico take in 2014 to address the consumption of sugary drinks?

In 2014, Mexico imposed a 10% excise tax on sugary drinks to reduce their consumption.

What is the main purpose of the sugar study conducted by Professor Kimber Stanhope at the University of California, Davis?

The main purpose of the sugar study is to determine if sugar, specifically high fructose corn syrup, causes an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, even without weight gain.

How does the study differentiate the effects of high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners on health?

The study uses a single-blind approach where one group of subjects receives beverages sweetened by high fructose corn syrup, another group gets beverages sweetened by the artificial sweetener aspartame, and two other groups get the same drinks but with no dietary restrictions to see if the sweeteners cause cardiovascular problems and if weight gain makes them worse.

What is the significance of the MRI scans in the study?

The MRI scans are used to chart what happens to internal organs when sugary drinks are consumed, specifically looking at the amount of fat within the liver before and after the study.

What are the two important questions the study aims to answer about sugary diets?

The study aims to answer whether sugar causes an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and if sugar has a specific effect on health that other foods, such as bread, oatmeal, and rice, do not have.

How does high fructose corn syrup affect the body differently than other types of sugar?

High fructose corn syrup is metabolized differently in the liver, causing it to convert excess fructose into fat, which is then released into the bloodstream, potentially leading to increased blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

What advice does Dr. Stanhope give regarding sugar intake?

Dr. Stanhope suggests limiting intake of all types of sugars and sweeteners, whether brown, white, or artificial, and recommends getting sweet fixes from fresh fruit instead.

What is the World Health Organization's recommendation for the daily intake of added sugars?

The World Health Organization recommends that added sugars make up less than 10% of daily diets.

What are the immediate concerns for the students who have completed the sugar study?

The immediate concerns for the students are to indulge in their favorite foods, such as pizza, burgers, and sushi, which they have been restricted from during the study.

What is the leading cause of death globally, and how is it related to sugar consumption?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and high levels of sugar consumption can contribute to it, doubling the number of deaths attributed to it.