Federal health officials recommend a maximum of 50 grams of sugar daily. The American Heart Associations recommendations are even stricter with no more than 36 grams per day for men and 25 grams for women. When I grew up, soda was filled with corn syrup, a derivative from the overproduction of corn that was found in so many of the soft drinks we drank. In other countries, sucrose or cane sugar was often used and due to its chemical properties, it is a healthier form of sugar however too much sugar in our diets has been known to cause diabetes, metabolic syndrome and so many of us have become carb addicts and are driven to eat sweets due to hormonal based urges. Often, our sugar issues begin when we are young with juice boxes which are filled with sugar and even sugar substitutes drive our appetites and may have something to do with our obesity problems and problems with overall health and digestion. Natural sugars such as honey, maple syrup and agave nectar may be better sources of sugar, however, does your body know how to distinguish one sugar from the other? Orange Juice which is fresh squeezed is a healthy natural sugar as well but in large amounts, it can be problematic. For years, orange juice, pineapple juices and other fruit juices that are natural have been though to be healthy for us. The problem is, juicing of any kind releases sugars out of its original packaging. Sugars original packaging may be the fruit you are eating whole. For years, juicing has been popular. Different types of juicers will result in more or less pulp which helps reduce how much sugar your body absorbs. The reason fruits limit your sugar intake is because their juice exists inside the fiber and cellular matrixes of the fruit. This natural regulation of sugar intake is interrupted by juicing. The pulp which is fiber is also good for digestion and good for the bugs in our gut. All fruits from cherries, to apples, oranges and grapes are best eaten whole to limit sugar intake. Many berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are naturally lower in sugar. The sugars and juices inside the fiber helps us by now allowing all the sugar in the fruit to enter our systems so quickly. This is why juices are so high in sugar content even though the sugar comes from a healthy source. Reduce sugar intake by doing the following. When juicing, a masticating juicer will leave more pulp in the juice which slows the sugars from entering our digestive tracts and our digestive system needs the fiber. When making vegetable juices, sweet vegetables such as beets are great for adding flavor and sweetness to juice. The juice is filled with vitamins and minerals as well. Eat whole fruits which slows sugar intake. Avoid sugary drinks. Seltzer can be flavored with fruit for extra flavor without all the extra sugar. Drink coffee or tea without sugar. Avoid most sodas leaden with sugar. Minimize most sweets and use sweet desserts as a treat. Check out the NY Times article on sugar below Are Some Sugars ‘Less Bad’ Than Others?