Cardiologist sounds alarm over everyday ingredient spiking bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure: 'Increases heart rate'

People whose mothers had restricted sugar during pregnancy and who had limited sugar as toddlers showed a 20 per cent lower risk of developing heart disease later in life.

What's more, their stroke risk dropped by 31 per cent. Heart attacks were down by 25 per cent, while heart failure and irregular heartbeat both fell by around a quarter.

Dr Oliver Guttmann, a consultant cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, explained that sugar has immediate effects on our hearts that we can actually feel.

He said: "If you have a lot of sugar at once, it can increase your blood pressure and increase your heart rate in the short term.

"A big sugary meal, for example, can cause your heart rate to be a bit faster because your body has to work harder to manage the increased level of blood sugar.

"That is why sometimes people say they are experiencing heart palpitations after they eat something really sugary."

But it's the long-term effects that are truly worrying, as Dr Guttman warned years of high sugar consumption lead to chronic inflammation and persistently elevated blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart.

"High consumption of sugar, especially refined sugars, can sometimes raise the level of the 'bad' cholesterol LDL over time and lower the level of the good cholesterol," he explained.

This cholesterol imbalance causes arteries to harden, potentially triggering heart attacks and strokes.

"If you're 60 and have 40 years of a bad diet, that will increase your risk of getting heart problems," Dr Guttmann noted.

Weight gain and diabetes create a vicious cycle, while excess sugar also raises triglycerides - fats that narrow and harden arteries.

The good news is that we can protect our hearts through simple lifestyle changes.

Dr Guttmann recommends keeping daily sugar intake below 30g - that's roughly seven sugar cubes according to NHS guidelines.

"If you want to make something sweeter, consider having something like fruit juice or honey instead," he suggested.

Exercise is equally important. Around 150 minutes of activity each week helps strengthen the heart while burning excess sugar and fat.

For monitoring heart health, Dr Guttmann advised annual blood pressure and cholesterol checks for healthy adults.

Those with a family history of heart problems, diabetes, or who smoke should get tested more frequently.