Does Reducing Added Sugar Improve LDL and HDL? What the Trials Say

What the Trials Show

Controlled trials comparing high‑added‑sugar diets with low‑added‑sugar diets find that people who cut back on sugar often see:

• Lower triglycerides.

• Small improvements in HDL cholesterol.

• Variable effects on LDL, sometimes a slight drop, especially when weight also decreases.

One review found that high‑added‑sugar diets tend to worsen lipid profiles, while reducing sugar—especially from sugary drinks—supports better heart‑health markers. The clearest benefit is seen when people cut liquid sugar and improve overall diet quality.

Why LDL and HDL Respond Differently

Added sugar mainly raises triglycerides and may lower HDL, so cutting it often improves these numbers faster than LDL. LDL changes depend more on total calories, saturated fat, and body weight. When reducing sugar also helps with weight loss and healthier food choices, LDL tends to improve as well.

Simply swapping soda or sweetened drinks for water and choosing whole‑grain, high‑fiber foods can gently nudge both LDL and HDL in a healthier direction over time.