Don't let today's mistakes become tomorrow's regrets
It sounds about right: Multiple studies show that most folks regret what they failed to do more than what they did. Well, here's your chance to make sure you don't regret failing to limit your kids' sugar intake.
Researchers analyzed data on more than 25,000 young participants in GUTS (Growing Up Today Study), who filled out questionnaires about their diet every one to four years for up to 25 years. They found that kids who frequently drank sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices were at a much greater risk of premature high blood pressure (HBP) than kids drinking water and whole milk and eating whole fruits.
For example, kids who drank one-and-a-half 8-ounce servings of fruit juice daily had a 35% higher risk of prematurely developing HBP than kids having less than one serving a week. Also, replacing one serving of a sugary beverage a day with whole fruit was associated with a 22% lower risk of eventually developing HBP. Fructose, high-fructose corn syrup and plain old sugar (even in "natural" fruit juices) are the culprits.
Psst! You need to ditch those beverages, too, Mom and Dad. One study found that when older adults eliminate around 2 teaspoons of added sugar a day from their diet, their systolic blood pressure (the top number) goes down by 8.4 mmHg -- that's huge. And their diastolic pressure (the bottom number) falls by 3.7 mmHg.
To get started on a family nutritional makeover and for tasty menu ideas, read "The Great Age Reboot," and sign up for AI coaching sessions at 4YOUngevity.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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