What are Chronic Illnesses?

Chronic illnesses are medical conditions that require constant medical attention and can also make day to day activities difficult. Added sugars, which are usually found in sugar-sweetened beverages, have a connection to the increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness disorder that makes it difficult for your body to make insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that helps break down sugar in your body. When you intake high amounts of added-sugar often, your body eventually can’t keep up with producing insulin. This is what is called “insulin resistance.” There is no cure to type 2 diabetes, but you can take steps towards preventing it!

How can you prevent chronic illnesses related to SSBs?

Drinking beverages with high amounts of added-sugars can cause unwanted weight and even lead to obesity. Being obese or even overweight can put you at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that the maximum amount of added sugars you are allowed to have per day are:

• Men: 150 calories per day (37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons)
• Women: 100 calories per day (25 grams or 6 teaspoons)

How do you read nutrition labels?

Reading nutrition labels can be intimidating! Among the different nutrients labeled, pay attention to the “total sugars” and “added-sugars.” For the average American 2,000-calorie diet, it is recommended that you intake no more than 50 grams of added-sugar per day (about 12 teaspoons).

Nutrients on the label also state a percent daily value, or %DV. Percent daily value (%DV) helps you see how much of a nutrient per serving will meet your approximate 100% needs per day. You can also use %DV to compare different products!

• 5% DV or less of added sugars per serving is considered low
• 20% DV or more of added sugars per serving is considered high

The average American teenager or adult consumes about 68 grams (17 teaspoons) of added sugar each day! This is about 60 pounds of added sugar each year! The average American child consumes about 81 grams (19.5 teaspoons) of added-sugar a day. This is a little more than 65 pounds of sugar a year!

Learn how to understand nutrition labels here!

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label” (2022)
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) – National Institutes of Health (NIH): “How to Read Food and Beverage Labels” (2022)
• Food Insight: “Nutrition 101 Video Series: How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label” (2022)