(Natural News) The average American consumes 270 calories of added sugars, which translates to roughly 17 teaspoons daily. This amount is a far cry from the amount recommended in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, which notes that less than 10 percent of a person's daily caloric intake should come from added sugars. According to the American Heart Association, this translates to roughly no more than six teaspoons or 24 grams of added sugar daily for women, and nine teaspoons or 36 grams of added sugar for men on a daily basis.

Added sugars, as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services, are sugars and syrups that are added to mass-produced food products like sodas, yogurt, candies, cereals and baked goods. This does not include sugars that are naturally occurring, such as those in fruits and milk. (Related: Curb cravings with fruit: Eat natural sugars to break bad food habits and wean yourself off added sugars)

The consumption of foods with added sugars must be limited since studies have shown that having too much added sugar in your diet can be linked to an array of adverse effects, such as:

-Increased risk of developing obesity

-Increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases

-Fatigue

-Increased risk of diabetes

-Cavities and poor oral health

-Acne and other skin problems

This means that cutting out added sugar and generally reducing your sugar intake are two necessary steps one must take in order to maintain and promote optimal health.

Be warned though, since cutting back on your sugar intake can cause some unpleasant symptoms, most of which are brought about by the changes caused by sugar to the brain's natural chemistry.