Adding Sugar Labels to Foods Could Prevent Heart Disease and Save Millions of Lives

A new study published by the American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that added sugar labels could result in a savings of more than $30 billion in healthcare and more than $60 billion in societal costs over a 20-year period. If the labeling leads to a reduction in sugar intake as the study’s authors predict, it may delay or prevent nearly a million cases of heart disease and diabetes.

Though federal guidelines suggest that added sugars make up less than 10% of daily caloric intake, Americans average 13% or more. Most of that sugar comes from sugar-sweetened beverages, but other primary sources include grain and dairy desserts, fruit drinks, and candy.

But more consumers are striving to decrease their sugar consumption. A survey from Label Insight found that 46% of shoppers are more likely to purchase products with “low sugar” labels. To help consumers make better-informed decisions about sugar intake, the FDA announced added sugar labeling in 2016, which should be fully implemented by the start of 2021.

Over the simulated 20-year period (2018-2037), they found that added sugar labeling could:

Prevent 354,400 cases of cardiovascular disease and 599,300 cases of diabetes mellitus

Save $31 billion in net healthcare and $61.9 billion in societal costs

Encourage consumers to reduce their sugar intake by an average of 5.8g per day

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