Cutting sugar in the first 1,000 days of a baby's life - from conception to the age of two - appears to reduce the risk of developing significant

Sugar in first 1,000 days linked to poor health later

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2024-10-31 21:00:02

Cutting sugar in the first 1,000 days of a baby's life - from conception to the age of two - appears to reduce the risk of developing significant health issues in adult life, say researchers.

The team analysed the impact of the end of sugar-rationing in the UK, which led to a rapid doubling in the amount of sugar consumed.

Their study showed limiting the intake of sugar in early life cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 35%, and high blood pressure by 20%.

Experts believe the first 1,000 days of life are a crucial period which can shape a person's future health, as well as being responsible for establishing a life-long sweet tooth.

The researchers took advantage of a "natural experiment" which took place as the UK recovered from World War Two and food-rationing came to an end.

When the rationing of sugar and sweets concluded in September 1953, average sugar consumption in the UK population went from around 41g a day (10 sugar cubes) to 80g (20 sugar cubes) almost immediately.