Shortages during World War II forced the rationing of sugar and many essential products in the United States and Great Britain. Indeed, sugar rationing extended beyond the war, ending in 1947 in the U.S. and 1957 in the U.K.

People on both sides of the Atlantic grumbled about restrictions. Without any intent to do so, however, the restrictions made the nations healthier.

A new study by an international team of scientists shows that limiting sugar intake proved a boon to anyone born during this era. Children exposed to rationing from conception through the first one to two years of life would enjoy better heart health even 60 years later.

Researchers noted that these folks had a 20% to 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, heart attack and stroke. That’s compared to those never exposed to rationing.

The study looked at data only from citizens of Great Britain. Americans, however, faced even stricter sugar rations than their ally.

The study underscores the importance of mothers not overindulging their sweet tooth during pregnancy and then limiting a child’s diet after birth.

Investigators used health information for more than 63,000 adult Brits born during the era of food restrictions. The data was pulled from the UK Biobank, a massive repository of the health information of 500,000 people.

The first 1,000 days of life are a critical period during which nutrition plays a significant role in shaping our lifelong health.

Many doctors already recommend that patients limit their consumption of high-sugar treats, especially pregnant women.

This study adds an exclamation point to that suggestion.