Ball: Sugar

Sugar, chemically known as sucrose, is a common carbohydrate. It is primarily obtained from sugar cane or sugar beets. The process involves extracting the juice from these plants, purifying it, and then crystallizing the sugar.

Sugar is widely used as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. It also contributes to the texture, browning, and preservation of many products. You can find it in desserts, baked goods, candies, soft drinks, and various processed foods.

Sugar is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It provides energy, but consuming too much added sugar is a public health concern. JECFA has evaluated sugar but did not set an acceptable daily intake, considering it a food rather than an additive requiring a specific limit. EFSA has also assessed sugars in the diet. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams of added sugars per meal. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that free sugars should account for less than 10% of total energy intake.