Research has shown that reducing sugar intake during fetal and infancy reduces the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure as an adult.
It was found that limiting added sugar for 1,000 days from the time of birth to the first two years of life reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 38% and hypertension by 21% in middle age. The research results were published in the world-renowned academic journal ‘Science’ on October 31 (local time).
According to the recommended daily sugar intake for infants and children announced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, it is 13.8g for those under 5 months, 17.5g for 6 to 11 months, and 25g for 1 to 2 years of age. It has been confirmed that if these standards are followed, it can not only lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, but also delay the onset of the two diseases by 4 and 2 years, respectively, compared to people who consumed more sugar.
The first 1,000 days after fertilization are the period of fastest growth and development in a baby’s life. For example, an infant born with a brain size of about 30% of an adult’s brain will grow to about 80% of an adult’s brain by the time it is 2 years old. Experts point out that the basic health formed at this time has a lifelong impact.
“During the first 1,000 days of life, the brain and body are preparing to fully develop. “Everything a mother eats is converted into nutrients for the fetus,” Suellen Anderson-Haines, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, told Science News.
First author Dr. Tadeya Grazner, an economist at the University of Southern California (USC), said, “If you are in a relatively low-sugar environment while in the mother’s womb and during infancy, the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure is greatly reduced decades later and the onset of the disease is prevented. There are delays,” he said in a statement about the study.
The researchers used data from the United Kingdom, where the 10-year rationing of sugar and cookies ended in 1953 after the end of World War II, naturally creating an environment for large-scale clinical trials. During rationing, per capita sugar allowances were similar to levels set by modern dietary guidelines, but soon after restrictions were lifted, consumption almost doubled, from about 40 g to 80 g per day.
Researchers used UK Biobank data to identify 38,000 people born between October 1951 and before July 1956 who had experienced ration restrictions during fetal and infancy, and 22,000 people born after July 1956 who had never experienced rationing. Health in middle age was compared.
The study found that those who went through a sugar rationing period had significantly lower rates of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. When the risk of people who did not experience rationing was set to 100, it was 62% and 79%, respectively. Of note, those who experienced sugar rationing during the prenatal period had a lower risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, even if the rationing was removed after birth. This suggests that the mother’s dietary habits have a great influence on the child.“We all want to improve our health and give our children the best start in life,” said Dr. Grazner. “The key message is that reducing added sugars early is one powerful way to move in that direction.”
Professor Keith Godfrey of the University of Southampton, UK, who was not involved in the study, said: “This is compelling new evidence that reducing fetal and newborn sugar exposure has lasting benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure later in adulthood. “This is consistent with research showing that children of mothers who consumed low-glycemic index foods during pregnancy had lower rates of obesity and had slower rises in blood sugar levels due to slower digestion and absorption,” he told the Guardian.
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Tadeya Grazner on the Impact of Sugar Intake in Early Life
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Grazner. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent study published in ‘Science’ has sparked significant interest. Can you summarize the key findings regarding sugar intake in early life and its long-term health implications?
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: Thank you for having me. Our research indicates that limiting sugar intake during the critical first 1,000 days of life—from conception through the first two years—can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life. Specifically, we found that those who experienced lower sugar environments during this period had a 38% lower incidence of diabetes and a 21% lower incidence of hypertension in middle age.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! You’ve mentioned that certain dietary guidelines should be adhered to concerning added sugar for infants. Could you elaborate on those recommendations?
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: Certainly! The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety outlines daily sugar intake limits for different age groups. For infants under five months, the recommended limit is 13.8 grams; for those 6 to 11 months, it’s 17.5 grams; and for children aged 1 to 2 years, it’s 25 grams. Following these guidelines not only reduces the risk of diseases but can also delay their onset by several years when compared to those consuming higher amounts of sugar.
Time.news Editor: It seems that these recommendations are crucial during a vital growth period. Can you explain why these first 1,000 days are so pivotal in a child’s development?
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: Yes, absolutely! The first 1,000 days encompass a remarkable phase of rapid growth and development. For instance, a baby’s brain grows from about 30% of an adult’s size at birth to roughly 80% by the age of two. This period lays the foundation for long-term health, and what mothers eat during pregnancy and how they nourish their infants directly influences this development.
Time.news Editor: You’ve highlighted that the study drew on unique historical data from the UK. What impact did the post-World War II sugar rationing have on your findings?
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: The UK’s sugar rationing after World War II created a natural experiment for our research. Data showed that those born during the rationing period, when sugar consumption was dramatically lower, had significantly better health outcomes in midlife compared to those born after the restrictions were lifted. This historical context gave us a unique opportunity to examine the long-term health impacts of early life sugar consumption.
Time.news Editor: That’s intriguing! How crucial is it for parents today to be aware of their children’s sugar intake based on your findings?
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: Extremely crucial. Parents need to understand that early nutrition plays a vital role in their children’s future health. By adhering to recommended sugar guidelines and fostering a healthy food environment, parents can significantly decrease the risk of chronic diseases in their children’s lives. It’s about fostering lifelong healthy habits from the very beginning.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for these illuminating insights, Dr. Grazner. It’s clear that tackling sugar consumption in early life is essential for better health outcomes.
Dr. Tadeya Grazner: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic! I hope our research encourages more conversations about nutrition and health in early childhood.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely, and we look forward to seeing how this research will influence dietary guidelines in the future. Thank you for your time!