Reducing Sugar in Infants Lowered Diabetes Risk Later On

An analysis of data from 1950s sugar rationing in UK also found that infants denied sweet treats grew up to have a lower risk of high blood pressure

With Halloween in the rear view, now is a good time to examine findings reported this week by Science that most people with a sweet tooth aren't going to like. An analysis of data from 1950s UK, when economic hardships during and right after World War II forced the government to institute food rations; the limits were finally lifted in 1954.

After confirming that sugar intake rose dramatically once the rations were lifted, and the existence of a biobank for people dating back to that period, University of Southern California researchers decided to compare people who were conceived between Oct. 1951 and June 1954, when the rations were in effect, with the health of people who were conceived between July 1954 and March 1956, after the rations were removed.

The researchers found a 35% lower risk of diabetes and a 20% lower risk of high blood pressure in the earlier group, suggesting an undeniable effect of diet on chronic health problems later on in life.

To read more about this interesting research, check out this story in Nature.