Today, there is an excess consumption of added sugars, both consciously and unconsciously. This consumption is coming from a variety of products including cereals, snacks and beverages. While those may be the obvious culprits, added sugars are also hiding in products that we would not typically suspect. Like in pasta sauces and seasoning blends. Added sugars are everywhere. According to the US Department of Agriculture, added sugars is a term used to define all sugars that are used as an ingredient in processed or prepared foods (AHA, 2016). Added sugars gained popularity as an additive due to its incorporation causing an increase in their palatability, making them more desirable to consumers. Added sugars are creating a diet that is energy dense but nutritionally deprived. This combination is proving to be deadly, because it has increased the risk of developing metabolic and lifestyle diseases.
The American Heart Association conducted a study on the controversy of associating added sugars and the rise of lifestyle diseases, specifically the effects of added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk in children. The study found, “strong evidence [that] supports the association of added sugars with increased cardiovascular disease risk in children through increased energy intake, increased adiposity and dyslipidemia.” (AHA, 2016) Their recommendation is to reduce the consumption of added sugars on a daily basis. “This strategy could play an important role in reducing the high prevalence of obesity in the United States. The guidelines advised that sweetened foods and beverages be replaced with those that have no added sugars or are low in added sugars.” (AHA, 2016). An example of a recommended replacement would be consuming water instead of fruit juices.
Added sugars are creeping into our diet now more than ever. Due to this we as consumers have to be more aware and take the time to look at what we are consuming. As a consumer, we should take the extra time to flip over our product and read the nutrition facts, specifically at the amount of added sugars. Becoming more aware is the first step. Added sugars are adding to the rise of metabolic and lifestyle diseases. We can create a decline by being more aware of what we are actually putting into our bodies.
The American Heart Association . (2016, August 22). Added Sugars and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Retrieved February 16, 2020, from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/cir.0000000000000439
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