Sugar Dangers: The Path to Heart Attacks Goes Through a Can of Cola

Starting from 2018, as decided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food companies will be required to indicate how much sugar is added to their products on the label. Dairy desserts? The company will have to specify not only the total sugar content but also how much of that is artificially added beyond the sugar naturally found in milk. Fruit preserves? Producers will need to report precisely how much sugar in the preserve comes from the fruit puree and how much is from white sugar simply added to make it sweeter.

Don't be surprised if this new labeling method arrives in Israel soon. Why? Scientists and public health officials around the world are increasingly worried about the enormous amount of sugar consumed by the Western population. Excessive sugar consumption, doctors say, is a leading factor not only in obesity but also in heart disease—one of the leading causes of death globally.

The problematic sugar in our diet is not the sugar naturally found in various fruits and vegetables. First, it's much easier to eat ten cookies than ten apples, for example. Secondly, the sugar in fruits and vegetables comes with companions in the form of dietary fibers—fibers that not only satisfy us but also affect the sugar metabolism process in the body.

In an average-sized apple, for instance, there are 19 grams of sugar, most of which is fructose. In contrast, a small bottle of Pepsi contains 55 grams of sugar. Without even considering the slightly different nature of sugar in fruits, it is easy to understand why sugar in processed foods and soft drinks presents a much greater health challenge.

As mentioned, the main motivation for labeling added sugar content is studies proving the link between sugar consumption and heart disease. If you thought sugar dangers were primarily about cavities and obesity, think again. A major study recently conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that adults consuming more than 15% of their daily calories from sugar in processed foods (as opposed to sugar from fruits and vegetables) were significantly more at risk for cardiovascular diseases. For the average person, 15% of daily calorie intake is 300 calories, or 18 teaspoons of sugar. Sounds like a lot? Not when you remember that a can of cola contains almost 10 teaspoons of sugar. Two cans a day, and you're already in the risk group.

The main foods containing a lot of sugar are soft drinks, candies, and desserts. But don't think that's all. Sugar is hidden in eighty percent of all food products sold in America. Even if you start checking the food labels you buy here in Israel, you'll find it hiding everywhere. Sometimes it will be called 'glucose' or 'fructose', but regardless of the name—the sugar is everywhere from the bread you buy to the tomato paste.

In small amounts, of course, most people can certainly consume sugar. But, doctors say it's very important to ensure that the small amount doesn't grow unnoticed. The World Health Organization recommends that both adults and children should not consume more than six teaspoons of sugar a day (excluding naturally occurring sugar in fruits and vegetables). In a world full of sugar, it's a limit that's not easy to maintain—but your health will surely thank you for it.