NEW YORK (CNN) -- Sugar seems to be in almost everything, from our morning cereals, to the sauces we add to our evening meal. But added sugar gives us empty calories, and too much not only increases our waistlines, but can harm our health.
Do you know how much sugar you eat in a day? According to an article in the journal "Nature," the average American eats more than 450 calories of added sugar daily. That's sugar put in processed food to make it taste better, and sugar you add yourself. The researchers say too much added sugar is simply not good for our health. It can increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
"It also ends up causing changes in your arteries, causing them to be less flexible, less stretchy," said Dr. Robert H. Lustig, Prof. of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco. "And that can contribute to cardiovascular disease."
According to the American Heart Association, women should limit their daily added sugar intake to no more than 100 calories or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. Men should have no more than 150 calories or 9 teaspoons a day. Just one 12 ounce can of soda, for example, has about 130 calories.
Dietary experts suggest people read the labels of the food they eat and substitute fruits or veggies for processed foods high in sugar.
The authors of the article in Nature suggest more drastic measures may be needed, such as:
- Adding taxes to processed foods or drinks that contain added sugars
- Asking the FDA to take fructose off the list of foods generally regarded as safe
- Limiting the availability of sugary products in and around schools
CLICK HERE to find out how to obtain a copy of the article.
