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It depends on which factors matter most for you. Sleep, exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol, and blood pressure each shift life expectancy differently. A free quiz can estimate your lifespan and biological age in about 5 minutes, then show which habit would add the most years. YapSpan uses published study figures so you can see exactly where each estimate comes from.

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Biological age is an estimate of how old your body acts based on health markers and lifestyle habits, as opposed to your chronological age (years since birth). Someone with healthy habits may have a biological age younger than their birthday age.

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Sweets and added sugar

From the YapSpan Longevity Wiki · Updated 2026-10-01

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Added sugars are sugars and syrups put into foods and drinks during processing or preparation, as opposed to the sugars found naturally in whole fruit and milk. Sweets such as candy, cakes, biscuits, pastries and desserts are major sources, along with sugary drinks. Total sugars include both added and naturally occurring sugars.

A 2023 meta-analysis (a study that pools the results of earlier studies) found no association between added sugars and all-cause mortality (death from any cause) and reported no pooled figure for added sugar [1]. No pooled all-cause mortality figure for sweets or added sugar was found. Higher total sugar intake was associated with higher mortality in the same analysis [1].

Test yourself: Diet quiz13 questions · ~2 minStart →

No pooled all-cause mortality figure for added sugar was found in the 2023 meta-analysis, which reported no association [1]. For total sugars, the relative risk (the risk in one group relative to another) comparing the highest with the lowest intake was 1.09, with a 95% confidence interval (the range the true value probably lies in) of 1.02 to 1.15 [1]. Risk from total sugars and fructose rose once intake went above 10% of daily energy, up to 20% of daily energy [1].

Two Swedish cohort studies (studies that follow a group of people over time) found a U-shaped pattern for added sugar, with higher mortality at both very high and very low intakes, and the highest intake linked to 30% higher mortality [2]. When added sugar was split by source, sugary drinks went with higher mortality and treats with lower mortality [2]. Sugary drinks have their own article under sugary drinks.

The evidence is observational (it tracks people's existing diets rather than assigning them), so it shows associations rather than proof of cause. Sugary drinks are the exception with a clear figure, while the evidence on solid sweets is less clear. Inverse associations for sweets and treats in observational data may reflect other differences between people, such as illness leading some people to cut sweets, rather than a benefit. Sugar intake is also hard to measure accurately with food questionnaires. Weight and blood sugar are described under metabolic health.

Categories: Foods|Nutrition|Metabolic health|Longevity Wiki

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YapSpan estimates are for reflection and entertainment only. They are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prediction of any individual outcome. Check with a doctor before making any medical decision.

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