How much sugar it too much? Most Americans don’t know

A new survey found that most Americans are eating too much sugar and are unclear on when to cut back, an alarming finding considering the damage it can have on cardiovascular health.

The survey by Healthline, a San Francisco-based health information company, compared participants’ answers to sugar guidelines administered by the American Heart Association, which recommends 36 grams daily for men and 24 for women.

Of more than 3,000 participants, few of them were aware of the guidelines and were more familiar with nutrition facts like calories, carbs and fat.

Two out of three survey respondents said that sugar was a major concern for them over fat and carbs and know they need to reduce their intake of it. Additionally, they said they feel guilty when eating too much sugar but are unaware of how much is in everyday foods.

"The survey revealed to us that just letting people know about the facts around sugar's dangerous effects to our health is not enough," said Healthline Editor-in-Chief Tracy Stickler in a statement. "That's why our campaign offers both everyday tips as they relate to the supermarket or kitchen as well as emotional and spiritual advice for cutting back on sugar, which is highly addictive."

The survey also revealed that a high percentage of people try to buy foods labeled as having little or no sugar, with 56 percent saying they prioritized a label saying “no sugar added” and 32 percent bought “sugar free” foods. Only 10 percent said they don’t check food labels before buying.

"Scientific research has shown that along with obesity and tooth decay, sugar is linked to serious illnesses including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. It also can contribute to skin issues, the aging process and be highly addictive," said David Kopp, CEO of Healthline, in a statement. "Our readers depend on our guidance to help them navigate through the complexities of health issues. With sugar, it's not just about our changing our actions, it's also about shifting our mindset, which we address in our coverage."

But Americans attitudes toward sugar intake might change after food companies are required to identify the total sugar and added sugars in their packaged foods. The requirement goes into effect July 26, 2018.