Not in general, but most of us may benefit from limiting added sugars in our diets. There are two types of sugars: naturally occurring and added sugars. Naturally occurring sugars are sugars found naturally in foods, such as lactose in milk, and glucose and fructose in fruits. These sugars are not cause for concern, particularly because they come in a package of beneficial nutrients (such as fiber) and are found in foods such as fruits and veggies, beans, and whole grains associated with good health.
Added sugars are any sugars added to foods or beverages during processing, preparation or at the table. Examples of added sugars include brown sugar, brown rice syrup, beet sugar, cane sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, maple syrup, and molasses.
Some people view certain added sugars, like honey and maple syrup, as better than others because they are from a natural source; however, there are no health advantages to these sugars. All added sugars—no matter their source—add “empty calories” which means they add calories without nutritional benefit. Eating foods with added sugars may squeeze out other nutrient-rich foods, train us to avoid foods that aren’t as sweet, and cause swings in blood sugar. Additionally, excessive added sugars have been associated with negative health effects such as increased risk for heart disease. This is why keeping added sugars to a minimum is beneficial for good health.