Sugar Consumption and It's Implications

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Sugar is one of life's greatest indulgences, it has been consumed throughout the centuries in various forms such as fruit and honey. However, within this modern age, sugar is readily available and widely consumed. The growing popularity of soft drinks, fast food, and snacks that typically contain significant amounts of added sugar the question should be asked – how much added sugar do I consume, how much should I consume, and what are the implications of consuming too much? “The USDA recommends that the average person on a 2,000-calorie daily diet include no more than 40 grams of added sugars.” (USDA Fact Book) Furthermore, the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests women should not consume more than 20 grams of sugar and men should not exceed 30 grams of sugar per day. The 2010 United States Census revealed that the average American consumes 147 pounds of “caloric sweeteners”; an assimilation of high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar and beet sugar. More specifically their consumption averages to .4 pounds per day and equates to an astonishing 180 grams. Consequentially the average American greatly exceeds the limitations suggested by the USD and AHA. Soft drinks are a key factor resulting in the overconsumption of sugar. According to the Coca Cola Corporation, a 12 ounce can of Coca Cola contains 39 grams of sugar(Coca Cola Company) . The Coca Cola Company sells 1.3 billion drinks, many are Coca Colas that exceed the AHA's suggested amount of sugar intake, and nearly reaches the USDA's suggested limit. “Our Company is one of numerous competitors in the commercial beverages market. Of the approximately 50 billion beverage servings of all types consumed worldwide every day, beverages bearing tr... ... middle of paper ... ...eb. 7 Nov 2011. "Coca Cola Company Form 10-K 2005" Coca Cola Corp.,Web. 7 Nov 2011. “Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics” Mayo Clinic, Web. 4 Nov 2011 “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health” American Heart Association, Web. 2 Nov.2011 “Heinz Product Gallery” Heinz Corp., Web. 22 Oct.2011 “Kellogs Nutrition Information” Kellogs Corp., Web. 23 Oct.2011 “Loss-Adjusted Food Availability USDA Economic Research Service (2009)” USDA, Web. 4 Nov 2011 “Meal Builder:McDonalds.com” Mc. Donalds Corp., Web. 16 Oct. 2011 “Nutrition Connection” Coca Cola Corp., Web. 21 Oct. 2011 “The Spread of the Obesity Epidemic in the United States, 1991-1998” Ali H. Mokdad, et al. “Untied States Census : Health” United States Government, Web. 31 Oct.2011

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