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After the birth of a newborn baby, there is often a tradition of making him/her lick sweet things, honey, sugary canned cereal or biscuits in the name of love and affection. But modern medical science and nutrition research has issued a serious and eye-opening warning to parents. According to a landmark study published in prestigious research journals, if the child is completely kept away from added sugar during the first 1,000 days of life – from conception to the second birthday of the child, then the risk of Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and even many types of cancer becomes negligible in later adulthood and old age. This study proves that the effect of sugar consumed in childhood remains on a person's body for the next 70 years. Research based on historical 'sugar rationing': Secret revealed from data of 64,000 people Generally, it is impossible in medical science to conduct such research in which one group of children is deliberately fed sugar for decades and the other is stopped. But scientists used the 'National Sugar Rationing' implemented in Britain during and after World War II as a natural experiment. Historical data from Britain: Strict sugar rationing was in place in Britain until 1953, limiting daily sugar consumption to about 40 grams per person. As soon as this ban was lifted in September 1953, people's consumption of sweets suddenly doubled. Scope of the research: Researchers analyzed 70 years of health records from the UK Biobank of more than 64,000 people who were born between 1951 and 1956. Half of these people spent the first 1,000 days of their lives under the shadow of a sugar ban, while the rest consumed sugar freely after rationing was lifted. Huge reduction in diabetes and high blood pressure by 35%. The results of the research were surprising to the medical world. Adults who experienced a low-sugar environment from infancy until age 2 had a 35 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life: Type 2 diabetes. Among those who did develop the disease, the onset of diabetes occurred an average of 4 to 6 years later than those who consumed uncontrolled sugar. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): People who avoided sugar in the early years had a 20 percent lower risk of high blood pressure. Heart disease and stroke: According to a analysis published in The BMJ, cutting out sugar for the first 1,000 days resulted in a 25 to 30 percent direct decline in the incidence of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Protection from Alzheimer's, dementia and cancer: 2.2 years slower aging The study also found that the effect of low sugar in the early days is not limited to metabolism, but also has a profound effect on the brain and the DNA of cells: Brain Health: According to the findings published in the journal Neurology, adults who stayed away from sugar for the first 1000 days saw a 46% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 27% lower risk of dementia as they aged. Gone. MRI scans found that the memory centers of his brain (the hippocampus) were stronger and younger. Decrease in cancer rates: The low-sugar group had a significant reduction in the incidence of liver cancer (69% less), rectal cancer, prostate and breast cancer, ranging from 36 to 60 percent. Biological aging (cellular age): Scientists found that those who did not eat sugar in childhood had significantly longer telomeres, present at the ends of their chromosomes. At the cellular level their biological age was growing slower by an average of 2.2 years. Why does this happen Understand the scientific reason (Biological Mechanism) According to scientists, the first 1,000 days of life are the most delicate window of development of the human body. During this time, all the important organs of the body, pancreas, liver, immune system and gene expression (Epigenetics) are taking shape. Taste Programming: The taste that settles on a child's tongue before the age of 2 years determines his lifelong eating habits. Children who are given sweets at an early age, their brain becomes addicted to demanding more sugar (Sugar Addiction). Prevention of insulin resistance: Giving excess sugar in the early stages puts the baby's delicate pancreas under constant pressure to produce too much insulin, laying the foundation for insulin resistance and fatty liver in the future. Strict guidelines from WHO and Pediatricians (IAP) The World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) have already been emphasizing that: First 6 months: Exclusive breastfeeding should be given. From 6 months to 2 years: When the child starts taking solids, do not add even a pinch of refined sugar, jaggery or honey to his food. The sweetness naturally present in fruits and milk is sufficient. Avoid packaged baby foods: Most of the commercial baby cereals, biscuits, flavored yogurts and packaged purees sold in the market contain 20 to 30 percent hidden added sugar, which is harmful for the child's health. What should parents do? How to keep the child safe Let the child taste the natural taste of lentil water, mashed boiled vegetables (carrot, gourd, pumpkin), porridge, ragi raab, khichdi and plain fruits (banana, papaya, apple puree) instead of sweets. Never make a habit of giving sweet toffee, chocolate, cake or ice cream to the child to pacify him/her when he/she cries. If the child does not eat any plain food immediately, do not panic. It may take 10 to 15 times for children to accept a new taste. Only natural food at home will become the protective shield of his entire life in future.