My WebMD Sign In

Please enter email address

Enter your password

Keep me signed in on this computer

Show more Information

If you select "Keep me signed in on this computer", every time you visit WebMD.com you won't have to type your email address and password. This means that a cookie will stay on your computer even when you exit or close your browser which may reduce your levels of privacy and security. You should never select this option if you're using a publicly accessible computer, or if you're sharing a computer with others. Even if you select this option there are some features of our site that still require you to log in for privacy reasons.

Forget your password? Having trouble signing in?

Why should I
sign up for WebMD?

With a WebMD Account you can:

Track your way to weight loss success
Manage your family's vaccinations
Join the conversation

See more benefits Sign Up

Why WebMD?

My WebMD

Show Menu

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

WebMD Home

Diet Debate

We debate the various types of diets.

Last Reply:

sugar

jc3737 posted:

Is sugar really all that important in causing cardio disease?

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/96/6/1390.abstract?etoc

4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:sugarIs sugar really all that important in causing cardio disease? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/96/6/1390.abstract?etoc">http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/96/6/1390.abstract?etoc</a>

dteresa responded:

I don't drink soft drinks at all and am not surprised that sugar is not a health food, but wonder what those Japanese women were eating along with the soft drinks. Are soft drinks a part of the traditional Japanese diet? I seem to remember unsugared tea is the traditional drink. Could this denote correlation rather than causation?

Dolores

Report This| Share this:sugarI don't drink soft drinks at all and am not surprised that sugar is not a health food, but wonder what those Japanese women were eating along with the soft drinks. Are soft drinks a part of the traditional Japanese diet? I seem to remember unsugared tea is the traditional drink. Could this denote correlation rather than causation? Dolores

jc3737 replied to dteresa's response:

I had expected to see a strong positive correlation between sugar and heart disease(and all types of disease)..I'm not sure I trust the study.

Report This| Share this:sugarI had expected to see a strong positive correlation between sugar and heart disease(and all types of disease)..I'm not sure I trust the study.

Heretk replied to jc3737's response:

Interesting, it would be nice to be able to see the full paper. I have seen previous studies showing IHD not correlating to glycemic index (i.e. sugar versus less refined carbohydrates) but correlating with the total glycemic load.

For example, Burkitt studies from British African colonies (1940-ties), sugar cane plantation workers, did indicate a strong correlation between high sugar consumption and diabetes plus other related diseases, with an 18 year time lag. However, the results may be interpreted also in the light of total glycemic load rather that sugar per se.

Similar data exist for cancer, there seems to be a better correlation between cancer and total carbohydrate intake (see for example Mexican women study by Obreu et al) rather than cancer and some particular type of carbohydrate.

In this line of interpretation, the less total carbs intake the better. It is interesting to notice that vegetarian diets tend to be lower in total calories (they are less obese after all, aren't they?), therefore lower in carbohydrate calories than SAD.

H.

Report This| Share this:sugarInteresting, it would be nice to be able to see the full paper. I have seen previous studies showing IHD not correlating to glycemic index (i.e. sugar versus less refined carbohydrates) but correlating with the total glycemic load. For example, Burkitt studies from British African colonies (1940-ties), sugar cane plantation workers, did indicate a strong correlation between high sugar consumption and diabetes plus other related diseases, with an 18 year time lag. However, the results may be interpreted also in the light of total glycemic load rather that sugar per se. Similar data exist for cancer, there seems to be a better correlation between cancer and total carbohydrate intake (see for example Mexican women study by Obreu et al) rather than cancer and some particular type of carbohydrate. In this line of interpretation, the less total carbs intake the better. It is interesting to notice that vegetarian diets tend to be lower in total calories (they are less obese after all, aren't they?), therefore lower in carbohydrate calories than SAD. H.

jc3737 replied to Heretk's response:

The basis of most vegetarian diets is usually rice or potatoes which they eat by the ton.And many western vegetarians also eat lots of fruit.

That does not seem very low carb but less processed carbs than the SAD.

Report This| Share this:sugarThe basis of most vegetarian diets is usually rice or potatoes which they eat by the ton.And many western vegetarians also eat lots of fruit. That does not seem very low carb but less processed carbs than the SAD.

See Related Eating & Diet Communities

See All Communities

Women's Health Newsletter

Find out what women really need.

Spotlight: Member Stories

Louise_WebMD_Staff

Long-time fan of the Diet Debate-though infrequent contributor to the discussion.

See All Posts by Louise_WebMD_Staff

More Members

ashehgoshers

Edit your story | See All Members

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Be the first to post a Tip!

Post a Tip

Helpful Resources

The Masai and Atherosclerosis

Atkins diet's return reflects ...

The China Study

Carcinogenicity of casein

High Fat Dairy

Post a Resource | See All

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other Member Communities

Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.

Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

In-depth coverage:

Find us on:

URAC: Accredited Health Web Site

HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation AdChoices

About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us

Medscape Reference eMedicineHealth RxList Medscape MedicineNet BootsWebMD WebMD Corporate

First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

Diet Debate

See All