The average American eats almost four times the amount of sugar intake suggested by the WHO. There are many potential health risks from eating too much sugar. Foods that you wouldn’t even think have sugar in them do, such as ketchup, barbeque sauce, and that box of Valentine’s Day chocolates. (Just seeing if you are paying attention!)

According to an article written in The Business Insider, here are some scary potential effects of eating too much sugar:

1. Cavities
2. Insatiable hunger
3. Weight gain
4. Insulin resistance
5. Diabetes
6. Obesity
7. Liver failure
8. Pancreatic cancer
9. Kidney disease
10. High blood pressure
11. Heart disease
12. Addiction
13. Cognitive decline
14. Nutritional deficiencies
15. Gout

Yikes!
Here’s a tip. Eat natural, organic foods. Whole foods, like fruits may contain natural sugars but they contain other important nutrients that help fuel your body too, like vitamins, minerals, fiber and other natural possibly positive healthy ingredients that scientists have yet to discover. Yet, we know for a fact that too much added sugar is not beneficial to health.

I use a teaspoon of organic cane sugar in my coffee every morning. So when planning the rest of my day, I try to not indulge in foods with added sugar since I’ve already had my treat for the day.

Treat yourself in moderation. Fruit and other sources of natural sugar help sustain energy, while too much can leave us exhausted and prone to disease.