Half of America Consumes Sugar Drinks
By: Christine Arteta
Published: September 7, 2011

The consumption of sugar drinks in the country has increased over the last three decades.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a data brief on Consumption of Sugar Drinks in the United States.  The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that half of the US population drinks sugary beverages on a daily basis.
Sugar drinks include fruit drinks, sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled waters.  Diet drinks, 100% fruit juice, sweetened teas, and flavored milks are not classified under sugar drinks.  More than half are consumed in the home.  Most sugar drinks are bought from the store, restaurant or fast-food, school and child care centers.
Findings reported that men consume more sugar drinks than women.  Age group teenagers and young adults consume most sugar drinks.  Consumption of sugar drinks is more common to low-income group in relation to their overall diet.
Sugar drinks have been connected to poor diet quality, obesity and weight gain, and diabetes.  The US dietary guidelines recommend a limitation on the consumption of sugary foods and beverages to increase American’s health quality.  The American Heart Association has recommended as well that sugar consumption should be no more than 450 kilocalories per week.