Eating sweets DOESN'T make you more likely to be overweight or develop heart disease

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Study by the The National Confectioners Association found that those who enjoyed sweet treats every other day were not at higher risk of disease
But experts say findings are not a carte blanche to binge on chocolates and that eating sweets in moderation remains key to good health

Published: 12:35 EST, 21 May 2013 | Updated: 01:47 EST, 22 May 2013

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When it comes to sweets, a little of what you fancy won’t make you obese or trigger a heart attack, new research reveals.

A study of more than 5,000 Americans found no link between poor health and eating sweets regularly.

Those who consumed sweets at least every other day were no more likely to be overweight or be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than others who treated themselves about once a week or less, the research found.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study was supported by The National Confectioners Association.

An American study found that those who regularly enjoyed eating sweets were no more likely to become overweight or suffer a heart attack than those who abstained

Dietitian Mary Murphy, of the Centre for Chemical Regulation & Food Safety, Washington DC, said: 'We did not find an association between frequency of candy intake and BMI (body mass index) or cardiovascular risk factors among adults.'

But the researchers say the findings are not carte blanche to eat as many sweets as you want, saying moderation was still important.

Ms Murphy said the findings, published in the Nutrition Journal, were important at a time when the spotlight was focused on obesity more than ever.

Almost all participants (96 per cent) reported eating sweets - chocolate and other types - but the frequency and quantity consumed at any given time varied.

Previous research has shown sweet consumers are not more likely to be overweight or have greater risk factors for chronic disease.

But the new study surprisingly found even those who reported eating the most were not more likely to be at risk of weight gain or disease.

Frequency of consumption was not associated with the risk of obesity, using measures such as BMI, waist circumference and skinfold thickness.

No need to worry: sweets are not putting your health at risk

There was also no connection with markers of cardiovascular disease risk including blood pressure, good and bad and cholesterol, other dangerous fats and insulin resistance.

The analyses were based on food frequency questionnaires and data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving adults aged 19 and older.

The researchers said the results certainly do not provide evidence sweets can be consumed without limits, but suggest most people treat themselves without increasing their risk of obesity or heart disease.

They added that more research is needed to further understand the role sweets and chocolate play in life and the best tips for people to include their favourite treats as a part of a happy and healthy lifestyle.

According to the US National Cancer Institute’s analysis of NHANES 05-06 data, sweets contributed an estimated 44 calories per day, or only about 2 per cent of the total caloric intake of an average adult.

In addition, it accounted for slightly more than one teaspoon of added sugars, of about 5g, in the diets of adults on a daily basis, which corresponds to a fraction of the 100 to 150 calorie upper limit of added sugars recommended by the American Heart Association.

By comparison, the top three dietary sources of added sugars for adults - sugary drinks, grain-based desserts, and sweetened fruit drinks - account for approximately 60% of the total added sugars intake.

Furthermore, data from the National Cancer Institute’s analysis of NHANES 05-06 indicate sweets accounted for only 3.1 per cent of the total saturated fat intake by the US population aged 2 years, or slightly less than 1g based on a total saturated fat intake of 27.8 g/day.

Laura Shumow, director of scientific and regulatory affairs at the National Confectioners Association in the U.S., said: 'There is a place for little pleasures, such as candy, in life.

'A little treat in moderation can have a positive impact on mood and satisfaction, and as emerging research suggests, minimal impact on diet and health risk.'