The learned studies and marketing surveys agree – we eat far more sugar than we should. The prob-lem is, much of it is hidden within the processed foods (UPFs) that constitute such a large portion of our ‘Western’ diet. But which country consumes the MOST excess sugar?
Excess sugar, salt and fat in the food we consume daily are the key culprits in a whole host of cardio, cancer and metabolic diseases. And those afflictions are spreading among those of us in the ‘West’ who follow the ‘standard’ American-European diet. That’s the one surveys tell us is currently made up of more than 75 percent Ultra-Processed Foods. They’re everywhere. And they’ve pushed aside many healthier foods to the perimeter of the supermarket – particularly the Produce Department.
What’s normal?
We all know we should consume less sugar. And opinion polls indicate most of us are aware of that. But sugar consumption in North America has not dropped – or even plateaued – in recent years.
(An interactive version of the map above is available at the WPH website.)
“The average American eats (or drinks) 34 teaspoons of sugars a day, which is equal to 500+ calories,” The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises. “This averages more than 100 pounds of sugars per person each year.”
“Sugar intake has drastically increased over the last century,” the ARS warns. “In 1822, the average American ate in 5 days the amount of sugar found in one of today’s 12-ounce sodas. Now, we eat that much every 7 hours”
But how do Americans stack up against other Western cultures on their excess sugar intake?
Worst offenders
It turns out Americans are the worst offenders among the more than 200 countries listed in a new World Population Review (WPR) survey on sugar consumption.
“The United States is the biggest consumer of sugar on the globe,” WPR reports. “According to [reli-able] sources, the country’s per capita sugar consumption is 126.4 grams daily. That translates to more than ten times the lowest recommended intake of 11 grams per day.
“According to health scientists, a significant percentage of this sugar is contained in these Americans’ foods and beverages. And these added sugars may take different forms, including white/ brown sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, molasses, etc.”
My take
The obesity crisis is front and centre in the pantheon of world health scourges. Because it aids and abets many of the others – including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Not to mention metabolic and immune disorders.
Simply put, consuming excess sugar will shorten your life, and make it more and more miserable the closer you get to the end. Why would you NOT start now decreasing your sugar intake? The Internet is packed with sites that can show you how…
~ Maggie J.