The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends that sugar make up no more than 10 percent of your daily caloric intake. And the American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons (100 calories) of sugar a day; for men, the limits are 9 teaspoons or 150 calories per day. But guess what: Both men and women are eating too much sugar—far beyond the recommendations! Women on average eat around 230 calories of sugar a day, and men are consuming approximately 335 calories of sugar each day!
If eaten in its natural state, sugar isn’t something to be worried about, as long as we adhere to limits. Sugar is an important carbohydrate naturally found in produce and dairy. When it becomes problematic is when sugar is added to your food during processing to alter the color, texture and flavor.
7 Major Consequences of Eating Too Much Sugar
Weight gain, which spikes insulin, alters your metabolic function and transforms unused sugars into excess body fat- Elevated blood pressure
- A rise in bad cholesterol
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Impaired cognitive function and memory
- Greater susceptibility to diseases such as diabetes and dementia
- Increased incidence of depression and anxiety