High-density lipoprotein levels are the good cholesterol, while the low-density lipoproteins are the bad cholesterol. There was a 9% difference between those who consumed sugar at the highest levels at 54 mg/dL of HDL levels and those with the lowest levels at 54 mg/dL. Research says that sugary beverages contribute the largest amount of added sugars. Examples are sodas, fruit drinks, coffee and tea (Welsh). Combining its findings with the sugar content data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture My Pyramid equivalent databases, the survey team found a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in adding sugar and replacing the energy requirement from less than 10% to more than 30% (Welsh et al. 2011). The study involved 646 adolescents as volunteers. It found that those who ingested additional sugar had higher LDL levels of 94.3 mg/dL, as compared with those with the lowest levels at 86.7. The triglyceride levels of those who consumed the highest amount of added sugar had 79 mg/dL as compared with those with the lowest amount at 71.7 mg/dL or a difference of 10%. It also found that overweight or obese teenagers who consumed the highest levels of added sugar had a higher level of insulin resistance. Consuming added sugars increases vulnerability to known cardiovascular risk factors. Additional sugar contributes greatly to energy levels but not to proper nutrition (Welsh et al.).

High-Sugar Consumption and Diabetes among Latino Children

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California found that overweight Latino children who consume a lot of sugar are likely to develop type-2 diabetes (O'Neil 2005). Surveyed children showed signs of reduced beta cell function, an indicator of type-2 diabetes. Current health statistics say that almost one out of four Latino children in the U.S. is overweight. The rate of increase in obesity now seems to catch up with the rate of pre-diabetes and type-2 diabetes in overweight teenagers. Recent opinion holds that high sugar intake during childhood is likely to contribute to the development of diabetes in these risk groups. Approximately 40% of their sugars come from sugary drinks, such as soda or sweetened juice. They also drink 2-5 servings of these sweetened beverages, equivalent to more than 1.5 cans daily. Beta cell function decreased in those who did. Previous research revealed that Latino children tend to be more insulin-resistant than white children, regardless of weight. This earlier finding pointed to the factor of genetics. Dr. Jaimie Davis at the USC Institute for Prevention Research remarked that these children had...

Even moderate reduction in sugar consumption may maintain beta cell function and keep metabolic disorders at bay in these children. Interventions are, therefore, in place for Latino children (O'Neil).
Conclusion

The rule-of-thumb is to watch the amount of sugar ingested daily (Green 2011). Problems arise when the amount taken in is larger than that burned. Over-consumption may also lead to the lack of loss of skin elasticity and the risk of different forms of cancer, such as breast caner, gallbladder cancer, and prostate cancer. These ill effects may be prevented by the simple observance of moderation in consumption (Green).

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