Sugary drinks early in life impact lifelong health
12 February 2025
A study published in Nutrition Reviews by an international team of experts explores the relationship between early dietary habits and long-term health outcomes. It focuses on the effects of digestible and non-digestible carbohydrate consumption on the health of toddlers aged one to four.
Digestible carbohydrates, such as starches found in potatoes, rice, and bread, and sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose, are broken down by our digestive system into simple sugars that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Non-digestible carbohydrates, on the other hand, cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes. These include dietary fibres found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
The study found that in toddlers, the negative health impacts later in life are more pronounced for digestible carbohydrates consumed in liquid forms, such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and fruit juice, compared to solid forms. Early consumption of SSBs and fruit juices is linked to increased Body-Mass Index, higher risks of obesity, and altered body composition.
Conversely, a higher intake of non-digestible carbohydrates during early childhood is associated with beneficial effects on later fat levels in the blood. Researchers noted that additional analysis is required to better understand the impacts on cognitive, bowel, and gut health.
SAFE’s Food4Inclusion programme, organised in schools, aims to enhance children’s health literacy. By providing early nutrition education, the program helps children develop lifelong healthy habits to lower the risk of diet-related illnesses such as obesity.
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