Yes, too much sugar is bad for our health – here's what the science says
Kieron Rooney , University of Sydney The World Health Organisation recommends limiting “free sugars” to less than 10% of our total energy intake. This equates to around 12 teaspoons a day for an average adult. But more than half of Australian adults exceed this limit , often without knowing. “Free sugars” don’t just come from us sweetening coffees and teas or home-cooked dinners; they are added by manufacturers during processing. It’s often a surprise to learn just how many teaspoons of sugar are added to popular foods and drinks: The Conversation , CC BY-ND Most of the concern about excess sugar consumption has been focused on weight gain, and rightly so. Our livers can turn sugar into fat . Too much sugar – and too much soft drink, in particular – can cause fat to be deposited on our waist . This is known as visceral fat. Visceral fat is especially harmful because it...