Added sugars, also known as free sugars, are sugars added to foods and drinks during processing or preparation, as opposed to natural sugars which are present before processing and preparation. Medical consensus holds that added sugars contribute little nutritional value to food, leading to a colloquial description as "empty calories". Overconsumption of sugar is correlated with excessive calorie intake and increased risk of weight gain and various diseases. Individuals who consume 17–21% of their daily calories from added sugar are reported to have a 38% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consume 8% of their daily calories from added sugar.
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👉 Added sugar in the context of Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are beverages sweetened with added sugar. Because a substantial amount is usually added, they have been described as "liquid candy". Added sugars include brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose (also known as glucose), fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar (a mixture of fructose and glucose), lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, trehalose, and turbinado sugar. Naturally occurring sugars, such as those in fruit or milk, are not considered to be added sugars. Free sugars include monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. According to the CDC, consumption of sweetened beverages is also associated with unhealthy behaviors like smoking, not getting enough sleep and exercise, and eating fast food often and not enough fruits regularly.
In this Dossier
Added sugar in the context of Compulsive overeating
A food addiction or eating addiction is any behavioral addiction characterized primarily by the compulsive consumption of palatable and hyperpalatable food items, and potentially also sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Such foods often have high sugar, fat, and salt contents (HFSS), and markedly activate the reward system in humans and other animals. Those with eating addictions often overconsume such foods despite the adverse consequences (such as excess weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease) associated with their overconsumption.
Psychological dependence has also been observed, with the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when substituting foods low in sugar and fat. Professionals address psychological dependence by providing behavior therapy and through administering the YFAS (Yale Food Addiction Scale) questionnaire, a diagnostic criterion of substance dependence.
Added sugar in the context of Flavored liquor
Flavored liquors (also called infused liquors) are liquors that have added flavoring and, in some cases, a small amount of added sugar. They are distinct from liqueurs in that liqueurs have a high sugar content and may also contain glycerine.
Flavored liquors may have a base of vodka or white rum, both of which have little taste of their own, or they may have a tequila or brandy base. Typically, a fruit extract is added to the base spirit.
Added sugar in the context of Protein bar
Protein bars are convenience food that contain a high proportion of protein relative to carbohydrates and fats. Despite the label focusing on protein, many mass-marketed protein bars contain more added sugar than some desserts like cookies or doughnuts, making them more like candy bars. The source of protein may be animal, e.g., whey (vegetarian) or collagen, or plant (e.g., pea protein, or peanut).