Subgroup analyses showed the most marked relation between sugar intakes and lipids in studies in which efforts were made to ensure an energy balance and when no difference in weight change was reported .
CONCLUSIONS Dietary sugars  influence blood pressure and serum lipids .
The relation is independent of effects of  sugars on body weight .
BACKGROUND Dietary sugars have been suggested as a cause of obesity , several chronic diseases , and a range of cardiometabolic risk factors , but there is no convincing evidence of a causal relation between sugars and risk factors other than body weight .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials that examined effects of the modification of dietary free sugars on blood pressure and lipids .
Effects of sugar-sweetened and sugar-free cocoa on endothelial function in overweight adults.
BACKGROUND Studies of cocoa suggest an array of cardiovascular benefits ; however , the effects of daily intake of sugar-free and sugar-sweetened cocoa beverages on endothelial function ( EF ) have yet to be established . METHODS 44 adults ( BMI 25 - 35 kg/m2 ) participated in a r and omized , controlled , crossover trial . Participants were r and omly assigned to a treatment sequence : sugar-free cocoa beverage , sugar-sweetened cocoa beverage , and sugar-sweetened cocoa-free placebo . Treatments were administered daily for 6 weeks , with a 4-week washout period . RESULTS Cocoa ingestion improved EF measured as flow-mediated dilation ( FMD ) compared to placebo ( sugar-free cocoa : change , 2.4 % [ 95 % CI , 1.5 to 3.2 ] vs. -0.8 % [ 95 % CI , -1.9 to 0.3 ] ; difference , 3.2 % [ 95 % CI , 1.8 to 4.6 ] ; p<0.001 and sugar-sweetened cocoa : change , 1.5 % [ 95 % CI , 0.6 to 2.4 ] vs. -0.8 % [ 95 % CI , -1.9 to 0.3 ] ; difference , 2.3 % [ 95 % CI , 0.9 to 3.7 ] ; p=0.002 ) . The magnitude of improvement in FMD after consumption of sugar-free versus sugar-sweetened cocoa was greater , but not significantly . Other biomarkers of cardiac risk did not change appreciably from baseline . BMI remained stable throughout the study . CONCLUSIONS Daily cocoa ingestion improves EF independently of other biomarkers of cardiac risk , and does not cause weight gain . Sugar-free preparations may further augment endothelial function
Subgroup analyses showed the most marked relation between sugar intakes and lipids in studies in which efforts were made to ensure an energy balance and when no difference in weight change was reported .
CONCLUSIONS Dietary sugars  influence blood pressure and serum lipids .
The relation is independent of effects of  sugars on body weight .
BACKGROUND Dietary sugars have been suggested as a cause of obesity , several chronic diseases , and a range of cardiometabolic risk factors , but there is no convincing evidence of a causal relation between sugars and risk factors other than body weight .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials that examined effects of the modification of dietary free sugars on blood pressure and lipids .