Breshly News

• Participants exposed to sugar rationing had far lower rates of heart disease as adults — Adults who lived their earliest months or years under sugar rationing had 20% lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease.

The same group also had a 25% lower risk of heart attack, 26% lower risk of heart failure, 24% lower risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), and 31% lower risk of stroke compared to those who were born after rationing ended. Their risk of dying from heart disease later in life was 27% lower. These results remained strong even after accounting for differences in genetics, parental health, income, and smoking habits.

• The longer the exposure to sugar restriction, the stronger the benefit — Those who experienced rationing both in the womb and up to two years after birth saw the greatest protection. In this group, heart disease onset was delayed by an average of 2.5 years. This time-based effect shows that your body’s early “training” in handling sugar leaves a lasting imprint on how your metabolism and cardiovascular system function throughout life.

• Cardiac imaging revealed stronger heart function decades later — Among participants who underwent MRI scans as adults, those who had been exposed to sugar rationing had slightly higher left ventricular ejection fraction — the percentage of blood the heart pumps with each beat — and a greater stroke volume, meaning their hearts pushed more blood through the body per contraction.

Though these differences were small, they suggest better long-term heart efficiency and resilience. Those exposed to early sugar restriction not only had fewer heart problems but also lived longer, showing a 23% reduction in all-cause mortality. In other words, less sugar early in life translated into a longer, healthier lifespan.

• Reduced rates of diabetes and high blood pressure explained part of the benefit — When researchers analyzed how sugar restriction influenced disease pathways, they found that lower rates of diabetes and high blood pressure accounted for about one-third of the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Birth weight explained only a small fraction — about 2% — of the difference, suggesting that early nutrition quality, not just birth size, shaped long-term health.

• Limiting sugar exposure helps prevent fetal hyperglycemia — This is when the fetus is exposed to high maternal blood sugar. High sugar levels increase oxidative stress and trigger inflammation, which interfere with the development of blood vessels and heart muscle. Early sugar restriction, in contrast, helps maintain healthy nitric oxide levels and better vascular elasticity, supporting smoother blood flow and stable blood pressure for life.

During rationing, adults averaged less than 40 grams of sugar per day, while children under 5 consumed less than 15 grams — nearly identical to today’s World Health Organization guideline that free sugars stay below 10% of total calories. For expectant mothers and parents, following similar limits today could set your child’s metabolism and heart health on the right path for decades to come.

• Participants exposed to sugar restriction showed slower disease development over time — On average, adults who had limited early sugar intake developed diabetes four years later and high blood pressure two years later than their peers who were born after rationing ended.

• The benefits were strongest when sugar restriction lasted beyond six months after birth — The researchers observed that once rationing ended and sugar intake surged, those who had already transitioned to solid foods were more vulnerable to later disease.

By contrast, infants who spent their first six months or more under low-sugar conditions — meaning their weaning foods were not sweetened — retained the greatest protection. This aligns with modern guidance that infants under 2 years old should consume no added sugars.

• The study revealed a clear dose-response relationship between early sugar exposure and later disease — The longer and more completely babies avoided added sugars during their first 1,000 days, the better their health as adults.

This finding rules out coincidence and supports the idea of “metabolic programming” — the process where early nutrition permanently influences how genes regulate metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure control. Each extra month of low-sugar exposure translated to measurable improvement in long-term metabolic outcomes.

• Experts warned that these sugars harm brain, gut, and immune development — Added sugars digest quickly, causing sharp spikes in blood sugar and insulin that interfere with normal energy balance and hormone signaling.

Researchers called sugar-laden formulas a “metabolic nightmare for infants,” noting that they strip away the benefits of lactose — a slow-digesting natural milk sugar — and replace them with fast-burning sugars that encourage fat storage and inflammation. Unlike lactose, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and helps the body absorb minerals like calcium and magnesium, added sugars undermine the very systems that keep metabolism steady.

• Lactose-based formulas were almost completely absent from the U.S. market — Of 73 formulas tested, only five relied primarily on natural lactose — and none of those remain available in the U.S. Most brands used high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or starch-based carbohydrates. The researchers described the findings as evidence of a broken formula market that directly contradicts the recommendations of health officials, which advise zero added sugars for children under age 2.

• Parents are largely unaware of the problem because labels conceal the truth — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires formula companies to disclose 30 nutrients on their labels, but “added sugars” is not one of them. Only total carbohydrate content is required to be listed, leaving parents unable to distinguish between natural lactose and added sweeteners.

As a result, many families unknowingly feed their infants formulas that exceed healthy sugar levels by several times. The U.S. government has also reportedly interfered with infant formula regulations in multiple countries, likely weakening health protections to benefit manufacturers’ sales.

1. Start before birth by limiting added sugars in your own diet — If you’re expecting, your baby’s first exposure to sugar comes from your bloodstream. When you eat sweetened foods or drinks, that glucose crosses the placenta and raises your baby’s insulin levels, which programs them to store fat and crave sugar later in life.

Aim to get your sweetness from fruit instead of refined sugar, and skip processed snacks and sweetened beverages. Think of this as building your baby’s metabolic foundation — every low-sugar meal strengthens it.

2. Breastfeed or make homemade infant formula whenever possible — Breast milk is naturally balanced — it contains lactose, a slow-digesting milk sugar that supports healthy brain, gut, and immune development. It also provides beneficial fats and proteins that keep your baby’s metabolism stable.

There’s no doubt that breast milk is the best first food you can give your child, but if breastfeeding isn’t possible, making homemade infant formula using whole, natural ingredients is the next best option.

Below is my preferred dairy-based formula, which will make 36 ounces of milk. If you need to make large batches to last several days, you can do so, but make sure to freeze the finished product. For children who are unable to tolerate milk proteins, I recommend trying my hypoallergenic milk formula instead.

3. Delay your baby’s exposure to added sugars as long as possible — Once solids are introduced, keep all sweetened foods and drinks off the menu for at least the first two years. This trains your baby’s palate to appreciate natural flavors. When you avoid added sugars early, you help your child develop self-regulation and reduce their lifetime risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Try steaming fruits or vegetables for sweetness instead of reaching for packaged snacks.

4. Focus on nutrient-dense, whole foods that support energy balance — A balanced early diet should include healthy fats like grass fed butter, coconut, and egg yolks, which fuel the brain and stabilize blood sugar. Include magnesium- and potassium-rich foods such as bananas, leafy greens, and squash to support heart rhythm and blood pressure. If you’re breastfeeding, your own nutrient intake matters too — what you eat directly shapes the quality of your milk.

5. Rebuild your family’s sugar environment, starting with your own habits — Your baby learns from what you eat and what’s in your home. If your pantry is filled with sweetened cereals, snack bars, and flavored drinks, that becomes their normal. Start by cleaning out ultraprocessed foods and replacing them with simple, whole ingredients — fresh fruit, raw grass fed yogurt, and pastured eggs.

When you model a healthy lifestyle, your child grows up seeing that real food tastes better and feels better. This not only protects their metabolism but also strengthens your own energy, focus, and heart health — making your home the healthiest classroom they’ll ever have. By taking these steps, you’re programming your child’s metabolism for strength, focus, and longevity. Early action gives your child a lifelong advantage that no supplement or medication can replace.