Healthline Survey Reveals Most Americans Are Not Aware of American Heart Association's Recommended Daily Allowances for Sugar Consumption
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthline.com, the #2 health information website, has completed a survey of over 3,000 Americans on their attitudes, habits and knowledge on the effects of sugar on the body. Using the American Heart Association's recommended daily allowances for sugar consumption—men (36 grams/9 teaspoons/150 calories) and women (24 grams/6 teaspoons/100 calories) —as a reference point, Healthline's survey, http://www.healthline.com/health/sugar/healthline-survey-results, found that most people are eating too much sugar but don't know how to cut back. Although the American Heart Association was the first to create a practical guideline on sugar for consumers, the Healthline survey showed that most people were not aware of those recommendations.
Drawing from the Healthline survey on sugar, the American Heart Association published an article with its take on the data, http://news.heart.org/survey-sugar-is-bad-but-people-cant-stop-eating-it/.
The amount of sugar that is considered "too much" has not been engrained into the minds of most consumers as it has for other nutrition facts such as total calories, carbs, and fat. Two out of 3 survey respondents said that sugar was their main concern (over fat and carbs) and admit they need to reduce their sugar intake. Many told us they feel guilty about eating sugar but their answers show that they don't fully understand how much sugar is contained in their foods, nor do they fully comprehend the role of sugar in physical addiction.
The survey serves as the centerpiece for the website's #BreakUpWithSugar campaign, http://www.healthline.com/health/sugar/breakupwithsugar, which includes articles, infographics, animated shorts, and videos. Guest contributors included prominent nutritionist Keri Glassman, who will be appearing on "The Doctors" to talk about sugar in relation to Valentine's Day; and New York Times bestselling author Gabby Bernstein, who will be appearing on "The Doctor Oz Show" to talk about breaking up with sugar in her indomitable Spirit Junkie way. For the campaign, Glassman contributed her "12-Step Guide to Breaking Up with Sugar," http://www.healthline.com/health/sugar/12-step-guide-to-breaking-up-with-sugar, and Bernstein recounted her personal experience quitting sugar in "Sweet Talk: Gabby Bernstein's Big Breakup with Sugar," http://www.healthline.com/health/gabby-bernstein-break-up-with-sugar.
"The survey revealed to us that just letting people know about the facts around sugar's dangerous effects to our health is not enough," said Tracy Stickler, editor in chief. "That's why our campaign offers both everyday tips as they relate to the supermarket or kitchen as well as emotional and spiritual advice for cutting back on sugar, which is highly addictive."
The survey showed few have succeeded in achieving a healthy relationship with sugar; most of us seek to eat less sugar but fail. The majority of those surveyed admit to eating too much sugar yet 3 out of 4 do not know the recommended amount of added sugar to take in on a daily basis. Two out of 3 guess wrong on sugar contents of popular foods and 70% don't know how many grams are in a teaspoon of sugar nor the calorie equivalent.
"Scientific research has shown that along with obesity and tooth decay, sugar is linked to serious illnesses including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. It also can contribute to skin issues, the aging process and be highly addictive," said David Kopp, CEO of Healthline Media, Inc. "Our readers depend on our guidance to help them navigate through the complexities of health issues. With sugar, it's not just about our changing our actions, it's also about shifting our mindset, which we address in our coverage."
The Healthline survey did reveal a high percentage of people seek foods labeled as having little or no sugar. More than half, 56 percent, said while shopping, they prioritized the label designating "no sugar added" and 32 percent looked for "sugar free" foods. Only 10 percent said they don't look at food labels, but for those who do, over 1 in 3 (38%) don't trust food labels.
By July 26, 2018 the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods are required to change including listing "total sugar" and "added sugars."1 Americans are in for quite a surprise as to the actual amount of total and added sugar packaged food items really contain as today significant amounts of added sugar are hidden in the ingredients listing and not the Nutrition Facts. There are over 60 different names for sugar -- most unrecognizable to the average consumer.
Additionally, there seems to be a misunderstanding when it comes to foods that contain a high amount of sugar that aren't perceived to be as sugar-laden as categories that overtly contain sugar as a central ingredient, such as cake, ice cream, and sweetened cereal. For example, when respondents were asked to select the food item with the most sugar in pairings, they incorrectly assumed common baked goods and dessert contained more sugar than a yogurt with fruit or an energy bar.
Adding complexity is also the fact that the vast majority (76 percent) were not aware of the American Heart Association's daily recommendation for added sugar intake —Men (36 grams/9 teaspoons/150 calories) and Women (24 grams/6 teaspoons/100 calories).2
About Healthline
The fastest growing health information brand reaching 50 million people monthly, Healthline's mission is to be a consumer's most trusted ally in the pursuit of health and well-being. Healthline provides socially-inspired, medically-reviewed and data-driven content to help us all live stronger, healthier lives.
* The Healthline surveys were conducted September 22 – October 5, 2016 among a national sample of 2,723 Healthline visitors and a national sample of 500 online consumers. Findings are statistically significant at a 95% confidence level, with +/- 5% margin of error.
**Healthline.com is the 2nd largest Health Information domain in the Digital population, reaching 26,407,000 UV's according to comScore Media Metrix/US only/September 2016. Healthline's global monthly reach is over 50 million per Google Analytics.
References:
- Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label. May 27, 2016. FDA.gov. New Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases. Manufacturers will need to use the new label by July 26, 2018. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm
- Sugar 101. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Sugar-101_UCM_306024_Article.jsp#.V_8HqvkrI0M
MEDIA CONTACTS: Rachel Albert
[email protected]
212-886-6704
Nan-Kirsten Forte
[email protected]
201-783-6201
SOURCE Healthline.com
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article