Sugar in Tea and Coffee: What the Long-Term Study Really Found
Researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands conducted a long-term look at how added sugar in tea and coffee affects health. The findings were shared in the journal PLOS One and come from a broad analysis that followed participants over decades, not months. The study focused on people who regularly drank hot beverages with varying amounts of sugar and tracked health outcomes across a 32-year period.
A key feature of the research was its depth. At the start, all participants underwent a thorough health assessment, and at the end of the observation window, many had additional health checkups. Some participants also had their causes of death reviewed to understand any potential links to beverage sugar intake. The researchers repeatedly verified information to ensure the results were robust and reliable, emphasizing the long horizon of the findings.
The central takeaway is that adding sugar to tea or coffee did not show a connection with an increased risk of dying prematurely among the study group. Those who sweetened their drinks with sugar were only slightly more likely to experience premature death than those who consumed unsweetened beverages. The researchers described this difference as very small when sugar was limited to modest amounts.
Importantly, the observed effect appeared to be tied to a specific quantity: about 5 grams of sugar per drink. The researchers caution that this pattern does not apply to all sugary beverages. Softer drinks such as sodas and fruit juices typically contain higher sugar levels, around 25 grams per container, and the study notes that these beverages carry different health implications compared with a small sugar boost in tea or coffee.
A former nutritionist weighed in on the findings by asking a simple question about dessert timing after meals, inviting readers to consider how sweet treats fit into overall daily patterns of eating and drinking. The discussion underscores that context—how often and how much sugar is consumed across the day—remains crucial for interpreting any health message about sugar in beverages. In practical terms, the study invites a balanced view rather than a blanket prohibition on adding sugar to hot drinks. It also highlights the value of looking at long-term evidence when forming dietary guidelines and personal choices. The take-home message is that occasional minor sweetening of tea or coffee may not carry a marked risk for those who otherwise maintain a healthy lifestyle, while regularly consuming larger amounts of sugar in other drinks should be considered in the broader context of daily nutrition.
Overall, the Leiden University study, reported through PLOS One, contributes to a nuanced conversation about sugar, beverages, and health. It emphasizes moderation, awareness of total daily sugar intake, and the idea that small, infrequent additions to everyday drinks are unlikely to drive major health consequences for most people. As always, individuals should consider their own medical history, dietary patterns, and guidance from healthcare professionals when making changes to their drinking habits.