According to a new study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, having a preference for sweets is associated with a greater risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
The study used food preference questionnaire data from over 180,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Using artificial intelligence, the participants were grouped into three general categories that were labelled “health-conscious”, “omnivore”, and “sweet tooth”. Health-conscious participants tended to prefer fruits and vegetables over sweets and animal-based foods. Omnivores tended to like a little bit of everything, including vegetables, meats, fish, and sweets. Participants in the sweet tooth category had a preference for sugary drinks and sweet foods, and they tended to have less interest in healthier options such as fruits and vegetables. After the participants were grouped into categories, blood samples were analyzed based on category to see how levels of proteins and metabolites differed between groups. The goal of the study was to see how food preferences may be associated with health risks and benefits.
The results showed that the sweet tooth group had high levels of markers for inflammation, poor lipid profiles, and high levels of blood glucose, all of which are risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. The sweet tooth group was also 31% more likely to have depression and significantly more likely to have type 2 diabetes or vascular heart conditions compared to the general population. In contrast, the health-conscious group had a lower risk of heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. The omnivore group tended to fall between the health-conscious and sweet tooth groups, with moderate risk in most categories rather than low or high risk.
The authors of the study noted that preferences for certain foods seem to have a direct link to health, particularly heart disease, diabetes, and mental health. For optimal health, it is best to avoid processed and sweetened foods.