Natural Sweetness and Bioactivity: The Cardiovascular Promise of Fruits

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Their prevalence is expected to rise with demographic shifts and increasing obesity rates. Excessive sugar consumption, especially from added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), is a major modifiable risk factor of CVDs. It contributes to obesity, metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. High-sugar diets affect metabolic and cardiovascular health. They also contribute to neurobehavioral dysfunction by influencing the brain's reward pathways, promoting hedonic eating, and reinforcing dependence on sweet taste. Fruits, a natural source of sweet-tasting compounds, are widely considered healthier than processed sweets. Epidemiological evidence shows a protective link between fruit consumption and lower risk of acute cardiovascular events like stroke and coronary heart disease. This benefit is largely due to bioactive compounds in fruits, such as fiber, polyphenols, and micronutrients. Based on current evidence, fruits can satisfy sweet cravings. In this paper, we will discuss the potential of fruits as an alternative to added sugars, emphasizing their beneficial effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health.