During World War II, the United Kingdom imposed strict rationing. Starting in January 1940foods such as sugar, meat and cheese were limited due to wartime shortages. The rationing lasted until September 1953, which meant that for more than a decade babies born during this period ate a much lower sugar diet than those born before or after. This forced change in diet appears to have had a profound impact on the long-term health of these babies, a new study shows.

Published in the Journal on Thursday Science, a new study examined health data from those born during and after rationing. The authors, from the University of Southern California, McGill University and the University of California, Berkeley, used UK Biobankwhich holds genetic and health information on over half a million people. Looking at Britons born between October 1951 and March 1956, the team found that those who lived their early years during sugar rationing had a significantly lower risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure in middle age, showing how exposure to sugar. during childhood can influence health decades later.

Analyzing data from more than 60,000 people, researchers found that those who lived on sugar rationing had a 35% lower risk of diabetes and a 20% lower risk of high blood pressure in middle age. This group also showed delayed onset of diabetes by 4 years and hypertension by 2 years. On the other hand, those who grew up without rationing had higher rates of disease. Even sugar consumption during pregnancy affects health later in life. The authors found that in utero sugar rationing alone accounted for about a third of the risk reduction.

One possibility behind this finding is that where sugar fits in early life can influence how much sugar someone eats years later. First author Tadeja Gračnereconomist at the University of Southern California, he told him New York Times that early exposure to sugar can create a lifelong habit. Disease risk is therefore “a cumulative response” to decades of sugar consumption, she says.

But these results don’t require the total elimination of refined sugars. Even moderate reduction can significantly reduce the risk to both pregnant women and babies. Tadeja Gračnereconomist at the University of Southern California and first author of the study, said Nature that “it’s all about moderation.”