A 1960s study linking sugar to cancer was never publisshed until now.
The study, called project 259 was sponsored by the sugar industry but they pulled the plug on it, due to significant findings that would hinder their commercial interests.
What did the study reveal?
Researchers observed the effects of a high-sugar diet on rats.
The results linked high-sugar consumption to:
- higher levels of beta-glucuronidase, a substance associated with bladder cancer and increased risk of cornary heart disease
The suspention of project 259 is "ethically concerning", because at the time study was being conducted, the sugar industry blamed high-fat foods for many health concerns, and promoted the "more appetizing" high-sugar foods in place of low-fat foods. This caused lot of dietary changes, that led to obesity and type 2 diabetes in the US.