Staggering Statistic: That’s a Whole Lotta Sugar

Travel almost anywhere internationally, and you’ll realize Americans are known for two things: Hollywood, and the Standard American Diet.

While that’s a bit of an exaggeration—Disneyland gets some attention, too—we have become renowned the world over for our heavily processed, fat- and sugar-heavy eating habits. And some of the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture only back up this assumption.

When it comes to sugar, the average American consumes anywhere between 150 to 170 pounds of the stuff each year. And that’s only refined sugar—this tally doesn’t include sugar from fruit or other naturally sweet foods.

At over four times the recommendation of the American Heart Association, Americans are increasing their risk of heart disease, obesity, depression, and cancer with every teaspoon of sugar they stir into their morning cup of joe.