Excess sugar—especially from added sugars—directly affects cardiovascular health through multiple pathways. Chronically high intake increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. These, in turn, contribute to elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and systemic inflammation—all powerful drivers of coronary artery disease and heart attacks.
A study published in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that adults who consume the most sugar-sweetened beverages are over 12% more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease compared to those consuming the least. Mechanistically, added sugars—particularly fructose—have been shown to increase myocardial oxygen demand, increase heart rate, and intensify blood pressure variability, all of which stress the heart and the arterial system.
Furthermore, chronic influx of sugar leads to chronic low-grade inflammation—recognized as a central pathway to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), ultimately raising the chance of plaque rupture and heart attacks. Prospective cohort studies cited by the BMJ and others highlight a dose-response relationship: those deriving over 20% of their day’s energy from added sugars have a markedly higher risk of heart events, and risk multiplies past the 25% mark.
