Role of carbohydrate quality for cardiometabolic risk

The role of sugar and starch consumption in the development of cardio-metabolic diseases has received great attention, but whether the consumption plays a key role is not yet known.

We will investigate the association between sugar consumption (both from beverages and foods) and risk of multiple cardio-metabolic diseases and perform detailed metabolic characterization of high sugar consumers by exploring multiple potential pathways.

We will use large well-characterized cohorts with dietary data of high validity, detailed phenotype data, biological samples (DNA, urine, blood, feces), and data from disease registers.

Because of the difficulties to measure food intake reliably, we will use urinary sucrose and fructose as objective marker of sugar intake in combination with dietary records. Genetic factors can influence our ability to digest starch. The number of copies of the salivary amylase gene (AMY1) can vary between 2 and 17.

We will study the postprandial response (glucose, insulin and metabolites) of three different starch doses in individuals with low or high copy numbers of AMY1.

We will also examine whether AMY1 copy number is associated with plasma proteins, metabolites and microbiota in large population cohorts.

Sonestedt will be the PI, two PhD students will be employed and several researchers will contribute by their competence. The project is expected to finish 2024. The results will be important for making informed decisions on sugar guidelines and sugar taxes.