Professor Jim Mann, EDOR Co-Director and Professor of Medicine and Human Nutrition, was interviewed by American journalist Meryl Horn for the Science Vs podcast episode "Sugar: How bad it is really?"
Science Vs is a Spotify podcast series which takes a myth-busting approach to controversial topics and current events, with fact checking and research of the scientific literature, as well as interviewing relevant experts.
The episode "Sugar: How bad it is really?" is in 6 segments with Professor Mann contributing to the 3rd and 6th segment.
Professor Mann described his early experiments to try and determine if sugar intake per se caused more weight gain than a calorie-matched starch intake. However, in free-living situations people weren't able to consume the equivalent calories of starch and therefore they lost weight.
Later studies in controlled environments ensured that each group consumed the same amount of calories. Professor Mann and his team conducted a meta-analysis of 12 of these studies and found that it made no difference if you ate sugar or starch - it was the amount of calories that mattered.
But sugar is not off the hook. Another meta-analysis, investigating numerous randomised controlled trials, examined the effects of dietary sugars on blood pressure and lipids.
These data showed that dietary sugars were associated with a number of adverse effects which were independent of changes in body weight. Based on this study, and other research evidence, the World Health Organisation recommends that added sugars make up no more than 10% of our daily calorie intake.
Listen to the sugar podcast
The episode "Sugar: How bad it is really?", Science Vs podcast, 9 October 2025 (Spotify account needed).