It discusses what cholesterol is and the effects of sugar consumption on both good and bad cholesterol. It also explains how a person may manage sugar intake and when to contact a doctor. Sex and gender exist on spectrums.

Click here to learn more. Cholesterol is a fatty molecule and steroid essential for health, as it plays several important roles within the body.

One crucial function of cholesterol is providing structural integrity to cell membranes and managing their fluidity, which helps to control how proteins and lipids, or fats, move within the membrane.

That said, cholesterol is also important for other reasons. For instance, the body can use cholesterol to synthesize molecules such as vitamin D , alongside a range of steroid and sex hormones. Additionally, cholesterol in bile salt allows the digestive system to extract fat-soluble vitamins , including vitamins A , D, E , and K.

Scientists divide cholesterol into two types: low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol. This is because people who have higher amounts of LDL cholesterol may be at an increased risk of developing serious medical conditions such as coronary artery disease , aortic aneurysms , and stroke.

In contrast, people with higher amounts of HDL cholesterol are less at risk of developing these conditions. It may be helpful for a person to lower their LDL cholesterol levels and increase their HDL cholesterol levels.

Since different foods have different effects on cholesterol levels, maintaining a balanced diet is important for managing cholesterol levels. For more science-backed resources on nutrition, visit our dedicated hub. Sugar is a kind of carbohydrate. There are different types of sugar that occur naturally and others that people chemically refine.

Many people use sugar as a food sweetener and preservative, but it also affects cholesterol levels in the body. This section discusses the effects of refined sugars on cholesterol levels.

According to a medical review , as sugar intake increases, LDL cholesterol levels go up, whereas HDL cholesterol levels go down. This is especially true of some sugars, such as refined fructose or sucrose, as opposed to other sugars, such as glucose. Furthermore, the researchers of a study suggested that replacing fructose or sucrose with starch may lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose. Scientists have observed similar effects in children. For instance, a study investigated the effects of added sugar intake on 8-year-old children. The researchers found a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol levels in children who consumed higher amounts of dietary sugar.

However, a review of scientific research found that consuming low levels of added dietary sugar has minimal effects on long-term LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. However, the researchers noted that further studies into this topic are necessary.

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Basically, sugars in foods can be categorized into two main types of sugar: natural sugar and added sugar. So why do we add sugar to foods when so many of our natural foods like fruits, nuts, and honey already have sugar in them?

Part of it is just the convenience of various types of processed foods out there, ranging from candy to even, fast food burgers. There are also plenty of unexpected foods and drinks that are surprisingly high in sugar.

With added sugar offering no nutritional value, why do we use so much of it? Generally, food manufacturing companies engineer their food to make it taste, look and smell more appealing.

The most common reasons why we add sugar to processed foods are to:. There are many processed foods out there that have hidden amounts of high sugar, despite being labeled by the food industry as healthy alternatives. Despite tasting salty and savory, so many shop-bought pasta sauces are packed with added sugar, some with even up to 12 grams per serving.

Yogurt might be packed with plenty of nutritious protein and calcium, but so many brands also flavor theirs with extra sugar. Some brands even add 17 to 33 grams of sugar per serving.

A glass of orange juice might be full of nourishing minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, but some bottled sweetened versions can have as much added sugar as a can of Coca-Cola!

Opt for the freshly squeezed type instead. Packaged or canned fruits can be just as high in sugar too, especially the types that come drenched in sugar syrup. Some have up to nine grams of sugar per serving. Draining the syrup can help to reduce the sugar, but we recommend picking up some fresh fruit.

Well, many brands sweeten their bars with all sorts of added sugars like corn syrup, honey, dextrose, and fructose — sometimes between 8 to 12 grams of sugar in a single bar. Another type of drink often crammed with added sugar is flavored coffees — yep, your beloved iced coffee is one of the biggest culprits out there.

In fact, some large coffees from big coffeehouse chains contain a whopping 45 grams of the sweet stuff. Despite the smaller portions, condiments, sauces, and salad dressings usually pack a big sugar punch. Just one tablespoon of ketchup has five grams of sugar, and creamy dressings like a French vinaigrette might have up to seven grams.

The best way to manage your sugar intake is to take it step by step and open up your eyes to where added sugar might be lurking. Here are our handiest tips for the biggest sweet tooths out there. Foods that might seem like a good option at first are often marketed as a lot healthier than they actually are.

Here are some great suggestions for snacks to try instead:. The number one rule for managing your sugar intake is always read the label, especially on processed snacks, drinks, or ready meals. Reading the label can help you maintain awareness of the ingredients and keep track of your daily intake.

Check out the official FDA guide. Different types of sugars go by different names. sucrose, fructose, dextrose, etc. There are also the typical sugar ingredients that you might already be more aware of, like:.

Sugary drinks really are the biggest sinners when it comes to added sugar. The calories that you get from a sugary drink are empty because the body absorbs them quicker and cannot recognize the energy in the same way as it does food.

All you get is a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Other high-sugar drinks include sports drinks and sweetened teas. Even smoothies can have staggering amounts of added sugar. One of the simplest things that you can do to reduce your sugar intake is to swap out the ultra-processed foods in your diet with a variety of nutrition-packed whole foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fresh meats, etc.

Your cholesterol and blood pressure will truly thank you for it later. You can curb your late-night sugar cravings by eating more protein-rich foods like poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and vegetables such as peas and spinach.

Low-fat counterparts of foods like yogurts, ice cream, peanut butter and frozen meals usually contain excessive added sugar. Well, the main benefits of reducing your sugar intake include:. With fewer refined sugars being consumed, your body will regulate the correct healthy levels of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides in the blood.

Staying below the recommended daily sugar intake also helps to maintain your weight — particularly the amount of fat around your belly also known as visceral fat. This fat is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

High sugar intake, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are often intertwined as causes of long-term cardiovascular health conditions. Making choices like reducing the amount of sugar that you consume will help to control your weight and keep your cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels.

Not only will reducing your sugar intake improve your cardiovascular health, but your smile will thank you for it too. Sugar sticks to your teeth over time and the bacteria that live in your mouth break down the sugar to produce an acid that causes dental cavities.

Minimizing your sugar intake as well as brushing and flossing more often will help to protect your enamel and keep your smile pearly white. Cutting out refined sugars particularly in sugary drinks can help to stabilize your moods and improve your overall mental health.

Reducing the sugar in your diet can improve your skin health. Studies show that an increase in blood sugar levels leads to excessive production of different hormones linked to changes in the skin.

Such high cholesterol levels lead to an increased risk of all sorts of health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and liver failure. However, cholesterol levels are reversible and controllable — especially if a high-sugar diet of refined processed foods is the main cause.

Rest assured, you can bring down your cholesterol with a number of small but worthwhile changes in your diet. Nassim Assefi is a medical reviewer for Zocdoc. Navigating the vast landscape of healthcare providers can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

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Insulin resistance is a disease in which the body's cells lose their receptivity to the hormone insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels. The synthesis of triglycerides, a form of fat that circulates in the blood, can increase due to insulin resistance.

This, in turn, can also contribute to greater LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol levels. As your body needs additional energy between meals, triglycerides from your fat cells are released. Your triglyceride levels increase to unhealthy levels when you consume more calories than your body requires to function.

Moreover, sugar hinders your body's ability to break down and eliminate triglycerides by blocking an enzyme. High triglyceride levels combined with high LDL and low HDL can cause fatty build-up in the arteries, increasing your risk of developing heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Although your body doesn't require sweets to function properly, consuming a modest amount won't be harmful to your health. Women should keep their daily intake to 6 tablespoons, and men should limit their intake to 9 teaspoons daily. Daily exercise can also aid in burning any additional calories you consume from a diet high in sugar.

In general, adults should aim for at least minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. If you are concerned about your heart and vascular health, you may want to consider taking a heart health supplement, such as Healthycell's Heart and Vascular Health supplement.

Healthycell's Heart and Vascular Health is formulated to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. As always, it is a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.

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Return To Blog. Articles Sugar and Your Cholesterol A diet high in sugar can be detrimental to your overall health and contribute to high cholesterol.

Reducing your intake of sugar can help prevent weight gain, and decrease your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Two varieties of cholesterol exist: Cholesterol from low-density lipoprotein LDL - the waxy, fat-like substance that builds up in the walls of your arteries and can obstruct them can occur when you have high amounts of this "bad" cholesterol—your risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases as a result.

When you consume too much sugar, your liver produces more LDL and less HDL. High Glucose and High Cholesterol There is a relationship between high glucose blood sugar levels and high cholesterol levels, but the relationship is complex and can vary from person to person. Cholesterol and Insulin Resistance Insulin resistance is a disease in which the body's cells lose their receptivity to the hormone insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels.

How to Reduce Your Sugar Intake Although your body doesn't require sweets to function properly, consuming a modest amount won't be harmful to your health. Simple ways to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet include: Reducing your intake of sweets, such as cakes and cookies.

Cutting out sugary sodas and soft drinks. Many people find that buying naturally flavored seltzer or making their own flavored seltzer curbs their desire for soda and soft drinks. Read Soda Consumption for Cell Health to learn more about the benefits of giving up soda.

Avoiding processed carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta. In an observational study, researchers report that statins may help slow cognitive decline in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Check out these simple ways to lower your….

New research has found that statins may reduce the risk of mortality among women with breast cancer. Some evidence suggests statins may interrupt…. Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

Adults as young as 20 should have regular physicals and monitor their blood…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Sugar and Cholesterol: Is There a Connection? Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M.

Research Links Sugar and Cardiovascular Disease. Controlling Your Sugar Intake. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Sep 20, Written By Anna Schaefer.

Sep 23, Medically Reviewed By Peggy Pletcher, MS, RD, LD, CDE. Share this article. Read this next. Daily Intake of Sugar — How Much Sugar Should You Eat Per Day? By Kris Gunnars, BSc.

Is Maltitol Keto-Friendly? By Cecilia Snyder, MS, RD. Saccharin — Is This Sweetener Good or Bad? By Mary Jane Brown, PhD, RD UK. She Was Diagnosed with High Cholesterol at At 20, She Found a Treatment That Works Angelica Pierce was diagnosed with high cholesterol at 15 and tried for years to unsuccessfully manage it with diet and exercise alone.

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If a person has high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol, they may be at risk of serious health problems. Eating too much added sugar can lead to this imbalance of cholesterol levels. People may consume too much sugar from a young age.

However, a person can reduce their dietary sugar intake. A healthcare professional can help a person manage their diet and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Learn more about the relationship between diabetes and cholesterol. Although alcohol does not contain cholesterol, its consumption can have a negative impact on cholesterol levels through increased sugar levels and….

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What to know about sugar and cholesterol.

Medically reviewed by Jared Meacham, Ph. What is cholesterol? A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Was this helpful? Nutrition resources For more science-backed resources on nutrition, visit our dedicated hub.

How does sugar affect cholesterol levels? Managing sugar intake. When to consult a doctor. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. The other co-authors were: Danielle E. Haslam, Alice H. Lichtenstein, and Caren E. Smith of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University; and Mark A.

Herman of the Duke University School of Medicine. Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours EST and can only accept comments written in English.

Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation. Your email address will not be published. Read on to learn a little more about the relationship between sugar and cholesterol so you can make informed dietary decisions. Cholesterol , which circulates in your bloodstream, is a lipid molecule in the membranes of the cells in your body.

It is crucial for proper cell function, including the operation of the cells involved in the production of hormones and vitamin D. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein HDL and low-density lipoprotein LDL. An accumulation of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream can lead to a buildup inside your arteries, leading to health problems like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Sugars affect your lipids , which are substances found in your bloodstream that may contribute to heart disease. Eating excess sugar can raise your triglyceride levels fat in your bloodstream and inhibit the enzymes that usually break them down.

Sugar affects more than just the glucose levels in your bloodstream. When you consume sugars or simple carbohydrates that break down into sugars, your blood glucose levels rise.

As a result, your body will release insulin to counteract the level of sugar in your bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone that maintains normal blood glucose levels and regulates fat metabolism, so the release of insulin in your bloodstream can cause fat to accumulate in your adipose tissue or body fat as a result.

As mentioned above, there are two types of cholesterol HDL and LDL , and sugar can significantly impact both. Overeating sugar can raise your low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease. LDL is responsible for the accumulation of cholesterol in your arteries. If your diet is high in sugar, it will cause your liver to create more LDL cholesterol and may result in the following:.

To understand the role that sugar plays concerning high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL , you should first understand what HDL is. HDL is a type of cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from arteries and transport it to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated from your body.

When your HDL levels are low, you increase your risk of developing heart disease. There are links between elevated levels of sugar in the bloodstream and lower HDL levels. Did you know that sugar may be one of the leading causes of obesity and weight gain? For example, did you know that Americans consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day?

Controlling and understanding your sugar intake can have a range of benefits. Besides regulating cholesterol levels, it can also improve your dental and skin health , help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of conditions like some cancers, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Do you have a hard time resisting sweets?