Sugar is often called a cause of inflammation, and social media often advises giving up sweets to “reduce inflammation.” But scientifically, everything is more complicated: the amount and type of sugars, the overall diet, body weight, physical activity, and the state of carbohydrate metabolism all matter.
A high intake of added sugars, especially from sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, has indeed been linked to chronic low-grade inflammation. However, it is incorrect to say that any sugar inevitably causes inflammation: findings in humans are heterogeneous, and some data come from experimental models.
What is inflammation in the body
Inflammation is the body’s natural defense response to infection, tissue damage, and other stressors. In the acute form, it is usually short-term and associated with a specific cause. Chronic low-grade inflammation can persist longer and is more often associated not with a single disease, but with a complex of factors: metabolism, visceral fat, nutrition quality, sleep, and physical activity.
When talking about low-grade inflammation, studies usually assess not the “sensation of inflammation,” but specific markers and signaling molecules—for example, C-reactive protein (CRP, hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), MCP-1, E-selectin, and PAI-1. These indicators help researchers understand whether excess sugars affect the inflammatory background.
It is important to understand that inflammation itself is not an “enemy.” Its severity, duration, and overall clinical context matter. Therefore, when talking about nutrition, it is more accurate to discuss not just one product, but how the entire dietary pattern and metabolic state affect these markers.
Is there a connection between sugar and inflammatory processes?
There is a connection, but it is more complex than the formula “sugar causes inflammation.” In scientific papers, researchers usually discuss different types of dietary sugars—glucose, fructose, sucrose, and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). In addition, not only sugar itself matters, but also the source: sugary drinks, desserts, processed foods, overall calorie surplus, and diet structure.
Some studies suggest that a high intake of sugary drinks and sugars may be accompanied by higher hs-CRP and other pro-inflammatory markers. But intervention studies in humans show mixed results: in some, changes are observed; in others, no significant differences in hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and other markers are found even when comparing fructose, glucose, sucrose, and HFCS.
This means it is more accurate to say that excess added sugars—especially from sugary drinks and in the context of overeating—can contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation, but there is no simple, universal scheme in which any sugar, by itself, directly triggers inflammation for everyone.
Why excess sugar can increase inflammation
Scientific reviews describe several plausible mechanisms through which excess sugars may be linked to inflammation. First, regular overeating and a high contribution of sugary drinks to the diet increase the risk of weight gain, visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. These conditions are closely related to a chronic inflammatory background.
Second, effects on the gut and microbiota are discussed. Excess sugars may reduce microbiota diversity, decrease the formation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increase intestinal barrier permeability, and enhance the transport of bacterial components such as LPS. This is further associated with activation of TLR4, NF-κB, and JAK2/STAT3 and increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.
Third, experiments have described effects of excess glucose and fructose on oxidative stress, macrophage function, T-cell responses, and Th17 cell differentiation. However, an important caveat is that much of these mechanistic data comes from animal and cell models, so it cannot be automatically translated into proven clinical effects for every person.
When sugar really becomes a problem
Sugar becomes a problem not because it exists in the diet, but with regular excess—especially when it comes to sugary drinks, desserts, and other ultra-processed foods that easily increase total calorie intake. The risks increase if this is combined with low physical activity, excess body weight, and pre-existing disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.
In this context, excess sugar is considered one factor in metabolic imbalance that can be associated with inflammatory processes.
Why is the balance of carbohydrate metabolism important?
The balance of carbohydrate metabolism is important not only for glucose control, but also for overall metabolic health. Excess added sugars—especially from sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods—have been linked to adverse metabolic changes and inflammation. At the same time, it is more accurate to talk not about a direct and universal relationship, but about excess sugar as one possible factor in metabolic imbalance.
Therefore, maintaining carbohydrate metabolism is considered part of an integrated approach: diet, physical activity, weight control, and therapy selected by a physician. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, additional agents may be used as part of комплексного treatment, including Arfazetin, which is used as a phytopreparation with a hypoglycemic effect and the ability to increase carbohydrate tolerance. At the same time, it should be considered an adjunct to therapy, not an independent solution.
What really helps to reduce the inflammatory load
Sugar should not be considered the only or universal cause of inflammation. But excess intake—especially from sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods—can be part of metabolic disturbances associated with inflammatory processes. Therefore, in practice, it is not about giving up “all sweets at any cost,” but about a broader approach to nutrition and metabolic health.
Literature
- Ma X, Nan F, Liang H, et al. Excessive intake of sugar: An accomplice of inflammation (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9471313/).
- Della Corte KW, Perrar I, Penczynski KJ, et al. Effect of Dietary Sugar Intake on Biomarkers of Subclinical Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29757229/).
- Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Yak obmezhiti vzhivannya tsukru (https://moz.gov.ua/uk/jak-obmezhiti-vzhivannja-cukru).
Author: Natalia Kandybey, PhD in Pharmacy, Quality Director of PJSC Pharmaceutical Factory “VIOLA”
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