3 Facts About Sugar That May Shock You

Sugar seems to be lurking in everything and, obviously, there is no way to avoid it. Most of the sugar sources we choose, such as candy, ice cream, cookies, ketchup, and soda have no nutritional value and end up leading us down the slow and never-ending path of sugar cravings. You can focus on consuming natural sugars, found in fruit, but too much of anything is never a good thing.

Click here for These Everyday Foods Contain Way More Sugar than You Thought slideshow.

Americans Consume Three Times the Recommended Amount of Sugar

The American Heart Association recommends nine teaspoons of sugar per day for men and six teaspoons for women. Studies show that in 2008, the average sugar intake was 19 teaspoons, which is over three times the recommended amount for women.

Sugar Has Similar Effects on the Body That Alcohol Does

A 2012 article published in the journal Nature said that fructose and glucose in large amounts can have a harmful effect on the liver. This is comparable to how the liver metabolizes ethanol, the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Are Directly Linked to Obesity

A 2010 study found that fructose intake caused the visceral fats to mature in children, which puts them at a higher risk for gaining weight.

The accompanying slideshow is provided by fellow Daily Meal editorial staff member Dan Myers.