Heart disease is currently one of the fastest-growing ailments. It is also a leading cause of mortality worldwide. People of all age groups—children, youth, and the elderly—are falling victim to it. Doctors primarily attribute this to lifestyle issues, poor dietary habits, and a lack of physical activity. This disease is also spreading rapidly within the Indian population; every year, hundreds of thousands of people in India fall prey to heart ailments, and a significant number of deaths result from these conditions.

Experts state that conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, and stress have a direct impact on heart health. Furthermore, individuals with a high salt intake have consistently been observed to be at a greater risk of developing heart disease. Excessive salt consumption damages the heart's arteries and elevates blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

**Consume Too Much Sugar? Be on Guard!**

Doctors emphasize that a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good heart health. This involves limiting salt intake and increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, one should cut down on sugary foods. While excessive sugar consumption is commonly associated with an increased risk of diabetes, this habit can also pose significant challenges for your heart.

Experts believe that "hidden sugars"—those found in packaged foods, soft drinks, and sweets—cause the most harm.
Consuming excessive sugar leads to an accumulation of surplus calories in the body, which, in turn, results in obesity.
Numerous studies have clearly demonstrated that obesity is a major contributing factor to diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

**Excess Sugar Intake Also Raises the Risk of Heart Disease**

According to various studies, consuming excessive sugar has a severe impact on heart health. When the body takes in surplus sugar, it begins to accumulate in the form of triglycerides; this leads to an increase in "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and a decrease in "good" cholesterol (HDL). This condition facilitates the buildup of fatty deposits within the heart's arteries, thereby impeding the proper circulation of blood to the heart. A report by the American Heart Association indicates that individuals who consume large quantities of sugar or sugar-based products face a higher risk of developing inflammation.
Sugar triggers chronic inflammation within the blood vessels, causing damage to them and elevating the risk of heart disease.
Furthermore, excessive sugar consumption places additional strain on the heart muscles, which can compromise the heart's pumping efficiency.

**What Do Doctors Advise?**

In an interview with *Amar Ujala*, Senior Cardiologist Dr. Amit Sachan explains that to maintain a healthy heart, simply reducing salt intake is not sufficient; one must also reduce the quantity of sugary items in their diet. Prolonged consumption of excessive sugar can heighten the risk of conditions ranging from coronary artery disease to heart failure.

Sweetened beverages—such as cold drinks, sodas, and packaged juices—also contain high levels of sugar; therefore, their consumption should also be curtailed.

**A Threat to the Liver, Not Just the Heart**

Sweetened beverages can be detrimental to our health in numerous ways. In a report previously published in *Amar Ujala*, we highlighted that, over the long term, these drinks can essentially "hollow out" the body from within.

Experts have noted that, in addition to the heart, such beverages have been found to cause severe damage to the liver as well. Sweetened drinks are rich in fructose, which is primarily processed by the liver. When consumed in excessive quantities, this places increased strain on the liver, potentially leading to serious health complications.

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