Americans Drinking Less Soda, Consuming Less Sugar

Despite the increases in childhood obesity in the United States, Americans are technically consuming less sugar than they did about a decade earlier, according to a new report.

And two-thirds of this decrease is due to people drinking fewer sugar-sweetened sodas.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that the percentage of our diets that is comprised of sugar dropped from 18 percent between 1999 and 2000 to 14.6 percent between 2007 and 2008.

"We were surprised to see that there was a substantial reduction over the years," study researcher Dr. Jean Welsh, of Emory University in Atlanta, told Reuters.

Researchers analyzed data from a study of 42,316 people ages 2 and older to see how much added sugar -- that is, sugars that are not naturally included in foods, like fruit -- they consumed.

People consumed about 100 grams of added sugar a day during 1999 to 2000, while they consumed 77 grams of added sugar a day during 2007 to 2008, Reuters reported.

But while this study shows that we're technically consuming less sugar, that doesn't mean that the total amount we consume is low. An American Heart Association statement in 2009 said that Americans consume the equivalent of 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, with teens consuming 34 teaspoons a day.

But women should only be getting, at the most, 6 teaspoons of sugar a day, while men should only be getting 9 teaspoons a day, the AP reported.

"Take a good hard look at your diet," statement author Rachel K. Johnson, professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, told the AP. "Figure out where the sources of added sugars are and think about how to cut back on that."

All this is not to say that sugar is inherently evil though, David Katz, M.D. director of the Yale Prevention Research Center, wrote on The Huffington Post. Rather, it's the AMOUNT of sugar that we consume that causes the problems: "An excess of sugar -- fructose or any other -- is harmful. That is what "excess" means. The dose makes the poison."

Comments

[Brett y]

03:43 AM on 08/15/2011

Remove all "juice" from your fridge.

[Ron111]

08:54 PM on 08/15/2011

Unfortunately all the people who are like "processed food is bad!" and "don't drink juice it has chemicals in it!" don't understand that unless the world were to drastically shrink everyone can't be eating non processed foods.

I love fresh stuff, but geez go enjoy life already and stop worrying about what the evil industries are doing to your food, If you haven't died yet you probably won't.

[Brett y]

09:47 AM on 08/16/2011

Hi Ron,

maybe I was a little vague in my statement, but juice is filled with added sugar which is what this article was about.

[capitaldysfunction]

02:15 AM on 08/02/2011

Sugar is not inherently evil...it's the amount...the dose is the poison (paraphrased from the last paragraph of the above article). It is easy to get that impression by watching a pie being constructed or a pitcher of tea being prepared. Watching a cup or more of sugar being poured into these foods and drinks is disconcerting, to say the least.

[Lola2008]

05:03 PM on 07/31/2011

Another thing Americans need to consume less of is social networking. Go get the Taking a Break app: http://takingabreakapp.com

[Alisa Winters]

06:24 PM on 07/29/2011

Great news that overall sugar consumption has decreased! All foods and beverages can and should be consumed in moderation. So I tell my patients they can have the foods and drinks they enjoy – including a diet or occasional regular soda – as long as it’s in sensible portions. When it comes to low- and no- calorie sweeteners, I’ve found they’re a good way for my clients to satisfy a sweet tooth without the extra calories. The truth is, no single food or beverage causes obesity or chronic diseases. And that goes for ingredients too, including sugar. Just like Katz says, sugar isn’t “inherently evil.” It's the culmination of large portions, too many calories consumed and not enough exercise. That’s why, in my practice as a Registered Dietitian, I emphasize the importance of portion control, moderation and physical activity to my patients and corporate clients, including Coca-Cola. The bottom line is that what we really need is moderation in our diets and to move more!

[greensrp]

10:37 AM on 07/29/2011

The problem is high fructose corn syrup, it is put into everything these days. Ketchup, breads, cereals, sauces you name it high fructose corn syrup is in it. We gave soda up in my house quite a few years ago, we drink water, real fruit juices and ice tea that I brew myself.
http://organiclivinginaprocessedworld.blogspot.com/

[Ron111]

08:56 PM on 08/15/2011

Surprisingly raisin bran has high fructose corn syrup... but the peanut butter cup cereal doesn't.

[BankOfHell]

12:17 AM on 07/29/2011

Sweetened sodas are only fit to use as mixers.

[Kirk Powers]

12:01 AM on 07/29/2011

I was in europe last week... all their soda use real sugar.. and taste way better then than high fructose corn syrup used in almost all US made sodas ketchups etc.

[ABACADABRA RABBIT]

12:31 AM on 07/29/2011

heinz and hunts have real sugar products now.

pepse has a throwback that rocks.

Coca Cola is too satanic and coked out to care. Perhaps a multimillion dollar class action lawsuit will change their minds.....

I drank coke and it screwed my liver up more than cocaine.

[Brett y]

03:46 AM on 08/15/2011

Virgil's root beer, made with all cane sugar, is so much better than anything out on the market. The only thing close is Sam Adams root beer

[Kirk Powers]

11:59 PM on 07/28/2011

well most soda uses High Fructose Corn Syrup.. NOT SUGAR>.. big difference between the two

[geojus1]

11:53 PM on 07/28/2011

i switched to "Crystal light" drink mix -add water only. lots of flavors ....NO SUGAR.
highly recommended

[Kevin Wheeler]

01:05 AM on 07/29/2011

Not sure that artificial sweeteners are even healthy..

[1Smartchick]

11:47 PM on 07/28/2011

I stopped drinking sodas and I use to love them, now they just taste like sugar water. Yuk..

[Notawingnut]

11:07 PM on 07/28/2011

I knew they'd feel it when I quit Dr. Pepper. I was drinking ~ 12-14 cans worth a day. Quite DP and smoking on the same day, and the next morning I started a mile walk in hilly terrain. Started smoking again after 2 weeks, but haven't touched DP in about 2 months now. I still "cheat" with lemonade when I order a combo for lunch, but water anywhere I sit down. Lost 10 lbs. so far and I'm still eating whatever I want. My legs are starting to look freaky out of proportion with my torso, but it's a process.

[Simeon Owens]

10:34 PM on 07/28/2011

Good to hear that little by little people are eating and drinking better. It's a good trend to hear about :-)

[HBHB]

10:20 PM on 07/28/2011

HA! What a waste of funding. We're consuming less sugar because the majority of drinks on the shelves are made with less or no sugar. It's not a blanket choice by the public to just say no to sugar. They're just grabbing what's on the shelf. Fill the shelves with sugar drinks and that percentage will go right back up.

Look at me, I'm a rocket scientist!

[Nick Franco]

11:47 PM on 07/30/2011

Theres less sugar on the shelves because Americans are becoming more health conscious.

[Brett y]

03:47 AM on 08/15/2011

weight conscious more like it. Artificial sweeteners are deadly.

[jeremylh1]

10:02 PM on 07/28/2011

However, people are still licking plain salt and eating lard out of the can.

[Kenz300]

09:40 PM on 07/28/2011

Reduce sugar, fat and salt in your diet. You will feel better and be healthier.