This means that much of the sugar we consume is added to foods before we buy them. To reduce the amount of sugar in our diets, we must read labels. The use of corn syrup is increasing, especially in food processing. All other sweeteners are used by Americans only in small amounts. The biggest consumers of sugars and sweeteners are men.
Teenage boys consume the most sugar and also the most calories because they are growing rapidly.
Women over 35 are the lowest consumers of sugars and sugar-containing foods. Children get most of their sugar from candy. However, teenagers and young adults consume most of their sugar in soft drinks. In fact, much of the increased use of sugar in the U.S. is due to the great increase in the soft drink industry. There are plenty of natural sugars.