The average American consumes around 60 pounds of sugar per year. Natural sugar comes in two forms, glucose and fructose. Glucose can raise blood sugar levels and is especially problematic for diabetics. Fructose has its own problems, including stressing the liver. Artificial sweeteners (saccharin, aspartame, etc.) are a popular option, but may not be healthier. Concerns about them relate to impacts on the body’s hunger response and gut bacteria. There’s also a cancer risk if artificial sweeteners are consumed in extremely high quantities. The best health advice is to avoid both in large amounts, and instead drink water or low-sugar beverages.
Key Takeaways:
- Glucose can raise blood sugar levels, while fructose places strain on the liver.
- Artificial sweeteners could mess with one’s appetite or harm the balance of gut bacteria.
- It is healthiest to drink less soda and more water or low-sugar beverages.
“The average American eats around 77 grams of sugar per day, or 60 whopping pounds per year.”
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