Americans consume an average of 100-150+ grams of added sugar per day. That is way too much for humans to process. The liver metabolizes sugar like alcohol, converting carbohydrates to fat. The accumulation of fat may cause fatty liver disease, which can lead to diabetes and raise your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Watch the video to discover some food facts about sugar content.
How much sugar in a day is Too Much Sugar?
American Heart Association (AHA) Recommendations:
- Women: No more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day.
- Men: No more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) of added sugar per day.
World Health Organization (WHO) Recommendations:
- Recommends that sugar should make up 10% or less of your daily energy intake.
- This equals about 12 teaspoons (50 grams) of sugar per day for an adult.
Food Facts
- A 12 oz can of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar. This is equivalent to about 10 teaspoons of sugar.
- Apples contain natural sugars, including fructose, which has a lower effect on blood sugar than other sugars. The fiber in apples slows digestion and absorption of sugar.
- A standard Baby Ruth candy bar contains approximately 29 grams of sugar.
- A small Chick-fil-A chocolate milkshake contains about 73 grams of sugar, while a large one contains about 95 grams.
Further reading: (www.dartmouth-health.org/articles/what-sugar-does-your-body)
