Sugar consumption (Meddens, 2020)

STUDY TITLE: Genomic analysis of diet composition finds novel loci and associations with health and lifestyle

SUMMARY: Discovery of 10 variants associated with sugar consumption.

OVERVIEW: Sugar can be found in many foods and drinks we consume every day. Some foods, like fruits, contain natural sugars. On the other hand, sugars are also commonly added to foods such as pastries and soft drinks. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons (88 grams) of added sugar per day, while nutritionists recommend no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day. Too much sugar in the diet can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, tooth decay, and other diseases. To identify genetic variants that may affect the amount of sugar an individual consumes, this study examined the genomes of over 260,000 individuals of European ancestry. The study found 10 genetic variants associated with sugar consumption. A few of these variants were also linked to consumption levels of other macronutrients, such as fats and proteins. Interestingly, the study found that increased consumption of sugar was correlated with a decrease in waist circumference and an increase in physical activity. The authors hypothesize that people with a higher predisposition to be physically active may tend to consume more sugar, as sugar is a convenient source of energy during exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? Artificial sweeteners are commonly added to foods marketed as “zero sugar”. These substances produce a sweet flavor without adding calories. Multiple artificial sweeteners were discovered by accident when scientists not working on sweetener-related research tasted chemical compounds they made and were surprised by the sweetness! [SOURCE]

SAMPLE RESULTS: Learn more about the Nebula Research Library.

Sugar consumption sample results

SUGAR CONSUMPTION-ASSOCIATED VARIANTS: rs838144, rs7619139, rs8097672, rs9972653, rs429358, rs7012814, rs341228, rs12713415, rs62132802, rs13202107

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Sugar 101
What does sugar actually do to your body? (Video)

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WEEKLY UPDATE: May 26, 2020


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