Articles
Added sugars: Don't get sabotaged by sweeteners
Why is added sugar a problem?
Recommendations regarding added sugar
Recognizing added sugar
Different names for added sugar
How to reduce added sugar in your diet
Content
A few facts about sugar
Why is sugar added to so many foods?
Why are added sugars a problem?
Recommendations regarding added sugars
Recognizing added sugars
Different names for added sugars
How to reduce added sugars in your diet
The final analysis
Why are added sugars a problem?
Foods with added sugars contribute extra calories to your diet but provide little nutritional value.
Eating too many foods with added sugars sets the stage for potential health problems, such as:
- Poor nutrition. If you choose sugar-laden foods instead of more nutritious foods, you miss out on important nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
- Weight gain. There's no single cause for being overweight or obese. But added sugar might contribute to the problem. It's easy to get extra calories when eating foods that are sugar sweetened.
- Increased triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream and fat tissue. Eating an excessive amount of added sugar can increase triglyceride levels, which may increase your risk of heart disease.
- Tooth decay. Sugar promotes tooth decay by allowing bacteria to multiply and grow. The more often you eat or drink foods with natural sugar or added sugar, the more likely you are to get cavities.