The recommended daily intake of sugar varies slightly depending on the health organization and the type of sugar considered (added sugar vs. free sugar).

Recommended Sugar Intake per Day

American Heart Association (AHA):

• Men: No more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) of added sugar per day
• Women: No more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day
• Children (ages 2-18): Less than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar per day
  These limits are stricter than some other guidelines and focus specifically on added sugars, which include sugars added during processing or preparation

Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

• Recommend less than 10% of total daily calories from added sugars, which translates to about 50 grams (12 teaspoons) for a 2,000-calorie diet. However, some experts suggest aiming for less than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of free sugars daily for better health

UK National Health Service (NHS):

• Adults: No more than 30 grams of free sugars per day (about 7 sugar cubes)
• Children 7-10 years: No more than 24 grams
• Children 4-6 years: No more than 19 grams
• Children 2-3 years: No more than 14 grams
• Children 1 year: No more than 10 grams
  Free sugars include added sugars plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices

World Health Organization (WHO):

• Recommends reducing free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy intake, ideally below 5% for additional health benefits. For an average adult consuming 2,000 calories, this is about 50 grams or less per day (around 10 teaspoons)

Summary Table

Organization| Men (grams/day)| Women (grams/day)| Notes
---|---|---|---
American Heart Association| 36| 25| Added sugar only
Dietary Guidelines (US)| ~50 (max)| ~50 (max)| Added sugar, <10% calories
NHS (UK)| 30| 30| Free sugars (adults)
WHO| 50 (max)| 50 (max)| Free sugars, <10% calories

Key Points

• Added sugars are those added to foods/beverages during processing or preparation, while free sugars include added sugars plus sugars naturally in honey, syrups, and fruit juices.
• Most guidelines recommend limiting added or free sugars to roughly 25-50 grams per day for adults, with stricter limits for women and children.
• Consuming too much sugar is linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
• Reading nutrition labels for "added sugars" can help manage intake effectively

In conclusion, a common expert recommendation is to keep added sugar intake below about 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men, with some guidelines allowing up to 50 grams of free sugars daily for adults.