Many people often think that cholesterol is the main culprit for cardiovascular disease. However, according to cardiologist Dmitry Yaranov (working at Memphis Heart Clinic, Tennessee, USA), there is a much more dangerous silent element, which is sugar.
Dr. Yaranov said that sugar is hidden in countless foods such as carbonated drinks, sauces, snacks and ultra-processed foods.
Just a serving of sugar a day can increase the risk of heart disease by 18%. If consumed in two or more servings, the risk increases by 21%, even for people who regularly exercise, Mr. Yaranov emphasized.
According to research data in 2025, high sugar consumption is associated with a 17% increased risk of heart disease, 23% risk of coronary artery disease and 9% risk of stroke.
globally, sugar is believed to be associated with more than 1 million new cases of cardiovascular disease and 2.2 million cases of type 2 diabetes per year.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine also showed that people who consume 25% of their daily calories from sugar are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as those who consume less than 10%.
Not only that, sugar also causes inflammation, high blood pressure, worsens cholesterol and disrupts the body's ability to control glucose. These factors combine to create a double blow to the heart and pancreas, according to hindustantimes.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the maximum sugar consumption:
Women: ≤6 teaspoons/day (about 100 calories)
Men: ≤9 teaspoons/day (about 150 calories)
However, in reality, most people are consuming 2-3 times the recommended amount without knowing it.
Read labels carefully, limit eating sweets and processed foods. It is a simple but important way to protect the heart and control blood sugar, warned Dr. Yaranov.
Sugar seems harmless but in fact is a worrying "silent killer", silently destroying cardiovascular health more than cholesterol.
