Added sugars are defined as those introduced to foods during processing or preparation, as distinct from sugars naturally occurring in fruit, milk, and other whole foods. [1]
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that women consume no more than 25 grams (g) of added sugars per day and men no more than 36 g, according to its published guidance [12].
The average American, by contrast, consumes roughly 17 teaspoons of added sugars daily, which translates to about 270 calories, according to a NaturalNews.com report [1].
Health organizations state that potential benefits of reducing added sugars include improved blood sugar management and weight control, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A growing body of research links excessive sugar consumption to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and some studies have connected early-life sugar restriction to lower dementia risk decades later [2].
The American Diabetes Association recommends limiting added sugars as part of blood sugar management, and reports state that excess intake contributes to weight gain and elevated diabetes risk [12]. Hyperglycemia, if uncontrolled, may increase the risk of damage t...