Sometimes the most difficult circumstances hide unexpected benefits. A new study published in Science (I link it here) who analyzed the effects of sugar rationing during the Second World War in the United Kingdom: what seemed like deprivation turned out to be an inadvertent public health experiment, with surprising results that could influence our food choices today.
An Inadvertent Public Health Experiment
During the Second World War, the United Kingdom had to impose severe restrictions on consumption, including sugar rationing. What at the time seemed like a necessary sacrifice has, decades later, turned out to be an interesting case study in public health.
The researchers analyzed data from over 60.000 people through the database UK Biobank, comparing the health of those born during the rationing period (1951-1954) with that of those born after (1954-1956). The study revealed surprising results: the generation raised on less sugar developed significantly fewer chronic diseases in adulthood.
The numbers speak clearly
The numbers are shocking: those who were exposed to sugar rationing in the first months of life showed a 35% reduction in the risk of 2 type diabetes and 20% of the risk of hypertension. Not only that: the onset of these diseases was delayed by an average of 4 years for diabetes and 2 years for hypertension. The benefits were particularly evident when sugar restriction It lasted beyond 6 months of age.
Interesting to note that even exposure to rationing only during pregnancy led to significant benefits, representing approximately one-third of the total risk reduction.
Sugar Rationing and Health: More Marked Effect in Women
The study revealed an interesting fact: women showed greater benefits than men, especially in reducing the risk of diabetes. This suggests a possible gender difference in the metabolic response to early exposure to sugar.
The researchers controlled for numerous factors, including birth month, survey year, birthplace, gender, race, and family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, to ensure that the results were specifically tied to sugar consumption. The research was supported by National Institute on Aging of the United States, giving further credibility to the results obtained.
Lessons for the future
What can we learn from this involuntary experiment in history? First of all, that current guidelines on sugar restriction during pregnancy and early childhood are strongly supported by these historical results. Reducing sugar intake in the first months of life could be an effective preventive strategy for future generations. And then, I would add, we can learn that it doesn't take a war to reduce sugar consumption. Today we have interesting alternatives such asallulose, a natural sweetener with a taste very similar to sugar but with minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
A “new rationing”, this time voluntary and conscious, could help us build a sweeter future without having to wait for bitter external circumstances to impose it.
