U.S. heart group draws hard line on sugar intake

Whether it seeks to veil its identity with more uncommon names such as fructose, sucrose or dextrose, or brazenly advertises familiar monikers such as molasses, maple syrup or honey, in a word it is all the same: sugar. Processed foods and beverages are full of it, much more so than the average consumer realizes. To help battle awareness of the issue and make the public more cognizant of the risks associated with increased levels of sugar intake, the American Heart Association (AHA) has put forth a new recommendation for the general public.

For Americans accustomed to ingesting an average of over 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, AHA’s suggestion of just six teaspoons (100 calories) for women and nine teaspoons (150 calories) for men may be more than a little hard to swallow. Previously, AHA has only sought to have consumers regulate their sugar consumption, so the organization’s decision to set a recommendation limit sends out a much stronger statement. Although there is no direct correlation between sugar and heart disease, sugar has been identified as a potential culprit in inflammation, high blood pressure, obesity and other health problems.

While sugar occurs naturally in many foods, AHA’s recommendation is aimed solely at added sugars. Although consumers can clearly see the amount of the substance they spoon into beverages such as coffee and tea, and are well aware that products such as sodas, cookies and cakes contain large quantities of it, sugar in its various forms also surprisingly appears in more mundane types of processed foods such as pasta sauce and salad dressings. Even though food labels do not separate natural and added sugars, consumers can moderate their sugar intake by taking a closer look at them. It is AHA’s goal that they will do so–and become healthier in the process.