Sugar not only makes you fat, it may make you sick

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on CNN.com in 2014. Story highlights Sugar is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and many other chronic diseases Added sugars are the culprit, not fruits and natural fruit juices CNN — In recent years, sugar – moreso than fat – has been receiving the bulk of the blame for our deteriorating health. Recommendations for your daily allotment of added sugar vary widely: The Institute of Medicine recommends that added sugars make up less than 25% of your total calories. The Sugar Association said in a statement that there “are a number of major flaws with this new study and the sensationalism associated with targeting sugar is fueling the media.” The authors conclude that “an observational study like theirs is not proof of cause and effect,” the association noted, and “extensive knowledge gaps exist.” “Bottom line: All-natural sugar has been consumed safely for centuries, and when consumed in moderation, has been and should continue to be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle,” the statement said. Until federal guidelines are forthcoming, physicians may want to caution patients that, to support cardiovascular health, it’s safest to consume less than 15% of their daily calories from added sugar.” That’s the equivalent, Schmidt points out, of drinking one 20-ounce Mountain Dew soda in a 2,000-calorie diet.