According to recent research from the University of Surrey, individuals who enjoy sweets may have a greater chance of experiencing depression, diabetes, and strokes.
New research from the University of Surrey reveals that individuals who favor sweet foods are more likely to face issues such as depression, diabetes, and strokes.
The study, published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, analyzed anonymized data regarding the food preferences of 180,000 participants from the UK Biobank. It utilized artificial intelligence to categorize them into three main groups:
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Health-conscious: Individuals who favor fruits and vegetables over animal-derived and sugary foods.
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Omnivore: This group enjoys various foods, including meats, fish, some vegetables, and sweets and desserts.
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Sweet tooth: These individuals prefer sugary foods and drinks and show less interest in healthier choices like fruits and vegetables.
The team from Surrey examined blood sample data from the UK Biobank, measuring 2,923 proteins and 168 metabolites to assess the variations in these levels among the groups.
Proteins are crucial for a wide range of bodily functions, including fighting infections, muscle movements, and cognitive processes. Metabolites, which are small molecules generated during digestion and other bodily chemical reactions, provide insight into overall health. By comparing these proteins and metabolites in blood samples, researchers were able to identify significant biological differences among the groups.
Professor Nophar Geifman, the lead researcher and Professor of Health and Biomedical Informatics at the University of Surrey, commented:
“Our food preferences appear to have a direct connection to our health. If your go-to foods are cakes, sweets, and sugary drinks, our findings suggest potential negative consequences for your health. We discovered that individuals in the sweet tooth category are 31% more likely to suffer from depression, and they also show higher instances of diabetes and cardiovascular issues compared to the other two groups.
“By employing data-driven AI techniques, we were able to categorize individuals based on their dietary preferences, which correlates with their health outcomes and biological indicators.
“The presence of processed sugars in many diets is significant, and our findings further support the notion that it’s essential for society to think critically about food choices. Our aim is to inform, not dictate, to people.”
The research also assessed variations in standard blood tests across the three groups.
Professor Geifman added:
“The sweet tooth group displayed elevated levels of C-reactive protein, which is associated with inflammation. Their results indicated higher glucose levels and poor lipid profiles, serving as strong indicators of diabetes and heart disease.”
On the other hand, the health-conscious group, which also consumed more dietary fiber, presented lower risks for heart failure, chronic kidney diseases, and strokes. Meanwhile, the omnivore group exhibited moderate health risks.
The British Nutrition Foundation reports that in the UK, an average of 9% to 12.5% of a person’s caloric intake comes from free sugar, which refers to sugars added to food or drinks. The primary sources of free sugar for adults include biscuits, buns, cakes, pastries, and fruit pies, while sugary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages contribute significantly to overall free sugar consumption.
