How many grams of sugar are appropriate per day for the average adult?

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Answer

If it isn't found naturally, then NONE. Table sugar is nothing more than poison. Sugar Diabetes. Remove the sugar, lose weight automatically, and the Diabetes will go away.

Actually, this is a bit of a complicated question. Carbohydrates can take the form of sugar once digested, and a certain amount of sugar, as the answer above indicates, occurs naturally in food. However, the following bit from http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/hl/nutr/food/alert01192000.jsp, I found helpful:

"In petitioning for labeling changes regarding sugar, CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest), joined by dozens of leading health experts, also wants the FDA to set a maximum recommended daily intake (Daily Value) for added sugars of 10 teaspoons (40 grams) and require labels to disclose the percentage of the Daily Value a food provides."

I am assuming that added sugar is anything that is put into foods rather that which is naturally occuring, or that which is consumed as carbohydrate. By this logic, for instance, ALL sugar in soda would be considered "added," since the beverage itself is constructed rather than harvested.

New Answer

From a health standpoint, specifically adding simple table sugar is a favorable alternative to adding a potentially hazardous substance such as high fructose corn syrup. This isn't to say sugar itself lacks dietary benefits. Sugar, in its original state, is a naturally produced substance rich in vitamins and minerals. And if refined properly, retains these qualities (so long as it remains in the form of table sugar.) In addition, a regular intake of table sugar is important in regulating insulin productivity. There are also positive metabolic effects. Sugar is added to FDA-approved energy products for a reason--it's a safe stimulant that augments energy in a confined period of time and promotes a heart-healthy agenda. Thusly, it is somewhat difficult to say exactly how much sugar per day any one person may require. For someone with a regular metabolism, that doesn't devote time to exercise, a 100g maximum should not be crossed (and in many cases not be approached.) However, athletes may consume 150% of this without seeing notable side-effects. It is important that I reiterate that in either case this threshold should not be approached. Sugar in very high doses is dangerous; if you're concerned for your health it is best to stay at a far more shallow intake than the maximum dosage recommends.

First answer by Tim. Last edit by Anb. Contributor trust: 49 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 178 [recommend question]

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