Not all sugar is created equal — especially when it comes to your heart.
According to a new study from Lund University in Sweden, sugary beverages like soda may pose a greater risk to heart health than sweet foods like cakes or pastries.
The long-term study tracked nearly 70,000 Swedes and found a clear link between frequent soda consumption and an increased risk of heart conditions including stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
By contrast, solid sources of sugar, such as cakes and other baked goods, appeared to have a less severe impact on cardiovascular health.
Why Soda Hits Harder
PhD student Suzanne Janzi, who led the study, points out a key difference: liquid sugar doesn't fill you up the way solid foods do.
“Sugar in liquid form provides less satiety,” Janzi explained. “That can lead to people consuming more than they actually need.”
The body processes sugary drinks quickly, leading to spikes in blood sugar and, over time, greater stress on the cardiovascular system.
One of the more unexpected outcomes of the study was that individuals with very low sugar intake also showed an increased risk of heart disease.
Researchers suggest this may reflect pre-existing health conditions or extremely restrictive diets, rather than sugar being protective.
As a result, the study supports the idea that moderate sugar consumption—especially from solid sources—may be less harmful than once believed.
Correlation, Not Causation
The researchers are careful to note that this was an observational study, meaning it identifies associations, not definitive proof of cause and effect.
Still, the findings contribute to growing evidence that sugary drinks are particularly harmful when it comes to heart health.
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanics, the message for now seems clear: If you’re craving something sweet and worried about your heart, a cookie might be a safer bet than a can of soda.
The study was reported by Videnskab.dk.
