SHARESugar is one of the biggest hidden drivers of weight gain, and most people consume far more of it than they realise. It is found not just in sweets and cold drinks, but in bread, sauces, flavoured yoghurts, and many so-called “healthy” foods.
When you eat sugar, your body releases insulin to manage the rise in blood glucose. Over time, regularly high sugar intake leads to excess glucose being stored as body fat, particularly around the waist. Sugar also triggers cravings, making it harder to feel satisfied and easier to overeat.
Research published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that greater added sugar intake was consistently associated with weight gain and increased risk of obesity over time.* Sugary drinks alone are one of the leading contributors, yet they account for only a third of the added sugar most people consume daily.**
Reducing sugar is one of the most effective changes you can make.
References +
- Endy, E.J., et al. (2024). Added sugar intake is associated with weight gain and risk of developing obesity over 30 years: The CARDIA study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. 90(2), 466–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2023.10.022
- The Nutrition Source. (n.d.) Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar. The Nutrition Source. Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/ (Accessed: 25 August 2026)
- Qin, D., Qi, J., Shi, F., Guo, Z., & Li, H. (2025). About Sugar Addiction. Brain and Behavior, 15(7), e70338. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70338
