Quizzes

Sweet Lowdown

Sugar sampler

Sugar is something most people consume daily. Our bodies need it to regulate insulin and provide energy. But how much is enough and does artificial sweetener really cause detrimental health effects? What is the recommended daily amount? To find the answers, test your sugar knowledge below. Answers are true or false.

1) Humans are born craving sugar

2) Americans consume about 40 pounds of sugar a year

3) Eating lots of sugary foods will cause diabetes

4) Each gram of sugar contains four calories

5) Stevia is about 50 times sweeter than sugar

6) Saccharin is about 500 times sweeter than sugar

7) Artificial sugars cause health problems

8 The recommended daily allowance for sugar is 100 grams

9) Sugar is an important source of carbohydrates

10) Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries

1. True. Researchers attribute this to nursing babies and the sugar they ingest from their mother’s milk. 2. True. 3. False. Eating too many foods with added sugars may add to weight gain from too many calories, which is a leading cause of diabetes. 4. True. 5. True. This sweetener comes from the stevia plant leaves and contains no calories. It can be used in place of sugar for cooking, but in smaller amounts. 6. True. 7. False. Although researchers have reported studies on some people who have headaches or stomach pains after using the sugars, it hasn’t been proven. Research has found links between bladder cancer in rats given high doses of saccharin and a reduction in healthy stomach bacteria from sucralose. 8. False. Daily intake from the American Heart Association for men: 36 grams or 9 teaspoons; women: 20 grams or 5 teaspoons; children: 12 grams or 3 teaspoons. 9. True. 10. True.

Sources: American Dietetic Association, American Cancer Association, American Heart Association, Food and Drug Administration, Domino Sugar, Stevia in the Raw