Although we may not realize, many times the food we eat has hidden additives. Things that make the food taste good as well as addictive. In a recent video, a cardiologist is trying to warn people, asking them to check the labels behind their packaged food. Dmitry Yaranov, a cardiologist based in Memphis, Tennessee, is trying to warn people that cardiovascular disease (CVD) isn't just caused by bad cholesterol. In a video posted on Instagram, he explained that there's a very common ingredient that's hidden everywhere—in sodas, snacks, sauces, and even foods that claim to be "healthy." This ingredient is a huge danger to your heart and is the main reason why people get diabetes. That dangerous ingredient is sugar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dmitry Yaranov, MD | Cardiologist 🫀 (@heart_transplant_doc)]]>How Sugar Slowly Increases Your Risk Of CVD? Dr. Yaranov points to solid research that proves there is a strong link between eating sugar every day and having a much higher chance of getting heart disease. Daily Servings The risk goes up just by eating one serving of something sugary (like a soda or a candy bar) each day. That single serving is linked to an 18% higher risk of heart disease. If you have two or more servings a day, the risk jumps to 21% higher. This is a big deal, and the risk was found even in people who regularly exercise. Processed Foods Link A study from 2025 showed that eating a lot of sugar, especially the sugar found in ultra-processed foods (packaged snacks, ready meals, etc.), raises your risk for heart disease by 17%, increases the risk of blocked heart arteries by 23%, and raises the risk of stroke by 9%. Global Impact The problem is massive worldwide. High sugar eating is responsible for over 1 million new heart disease cases and 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes in just one year. Mortality (Risk of Death) The doctor also mentions a study that found people who got 25% or more of their total daily calories from sugar had more than double the risk of dying from heart disease compared to people who kept their sugar intake low (under 10% of total calories). How Does Sugar Harm Your Body? The cardiologist explains that sugar does more than just add unneeded calories; it actually attacks the healthy systems in your body that look after your heart and how your body uses energy. It causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) throughout the body.It causes your blood pressure to go up.It makes your cholesterol levels worse.It messes up your blood sugar control, making it hard for your body to manage energy. This is a "double hit" because it harms both your heart and your pancreas (the organ that makes insulin). How Much Sugar Can You Eat? To help protect your health, the cardiologist advises everyone to follow the simple rules for sugar set by the American Heart Association (AHA): Women: Should eat no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, about 100 calories worth.Men: Should eat no more than 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day, about 150 calories worth. The big issue is that most people eat two or three times these recommended limits without even knowing it because sugar is hidden in so many foods. The doctor strongly urges everyone to start checking food labels carefully and actively working to limit their sugar intake to keep their heart strong and their blood sugar stable.
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