sugar Archives - IDEA Health & Fitness Association

The Sweet Truth: How Sugar Accelerates Aging

By IDEA Editorial Staff / April 2, 2025

As a fitness professional, you’re on the frontlines of helping clients move better, feel better, and age well. But what your clients do outside the gym—especially with their nutrition—can either accelerate or slow down the aging process. One of the most underestimated drivers of premature aging? Excess sugar. While sugar has long been associated with…

The Scourge of Sugary Drinks

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / March 17, 2025

According to research published in the journal Nature Medicine, sugar-sweetened drink consumption accounts for more than two million new cases of type two diabetes, and 1.2 million new cases of heart disease worldwide annually. Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean and South Africa have some of the worst sweetened drink-related health problems. For instance, nearly 50% of…

Sugary Drinks and Hair Loss

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / December 5, 2023

Research reveals a possible link between drinking sugar-sweetened beverages—such as sodas and sports drinks—and hair loss.

High-Sugar Food and Brain Activity

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / December 5, 2023

Researchers have demonstrated that foods with high sugar and fat content such as sweets and fried foods alter our brain activity.

Someone pouring dressing on salad to show artificial sweeteners in food

More Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners in Food Supply

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / November 1, 2022

Many can admit to having a sweet tooth, but have you noticed the amount of sugar and artificial sweeteners in food at the supermarket?

Girl sticking tongue and holding up cookies to show link between sugar and behavioral disorders

Behavioral Disorders and Excessive Sugar

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / September 6, 2022

People with a genetic predisposition to behavioral disorders had a greater risk of developing them if their diets were high in added sugars.

Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer Risk

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / September 6, 2022

A 2022 investigation in PLOS Medicine suggests that certain artificial sweeteners are associated with increased cancer risk.

Woman smiling to show link between sugar and teeth

Sugar and Teeth Health

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / July 5, 2022

We now may have a better idea of why eating too much sugar can affect your teeth and result in more expensive dental work.

Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Down

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / March 14, 2022

Here’s one bright spot in the American diet: Heavy consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has decreased in some segments of the population.

Added Sugar and Cancer Risk

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / February 28, 2022

As added sugar intake increases so do the chances of developing various forms of cancer, including breast and prostate.

Graphic with several cans of soda to represent need for sugar reductions

Is it Time to Get Tough About Sugar Reductions?

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / December 6, 2021

According to a study, sugar reductions could prevent some cardiovascular disease events, cardiovascular deaths, and diabetes cases.

Woman tired from low energy to show sugar danger

More Sugar Danger

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / September 27, 2021

Researchers published findings on more sugar danger: surplus sugar may cause our mitochondria to become less efficient, reducing our energy.

Sugar cubes in a plastic cup to represent excessive sugar in soda

The Shocking Amount of Sugar in Soda

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / September 27, 2021

A report shows that the sugar in soda sold at the 20 top-earning restaurant chains in the U.S exceeds the suggested daily limit of 50 grams.

Sugar in Baby Formula Causes Weight Gain

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / September 7, 2021

Some mothers turn to bottled formulas to nourish their children. But added sugar in baby formula—like corn syrup—can lead to weight gain.

Sugary Drinks and Warning Labels

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / May 10, 2021

Using warning labels on sugary drinks, like soda and sports drinks, has been generally linked to notable reductions in purchases.

April 2021 Question of the Month: Are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Tough Enough?

By ... / April 5, 2021

Are you satisfied with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans? Do you believe this edition missed the mark on alcohol and added sugars?

Kids require more sugar to detect sweetness

Kids and Sugar Sweetness

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / April 5, 2021

No wonder it can be hard to pry kids away from the candy store; they require more sugar to detect sweetness than adults do.

Sucrose, Glucose and Metabolism

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / March 15, 2021

The type of sugar we choose may influence how hungry we feel. A recent study shed light on the different effects of sucrose and glucose on our metabolism.