# What are foods and drinks that contain a lot of added sugars? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/foods-drinks-high-added-sugars Language: en Category: nutrition Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.949Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.949Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/foods-drinks-high-added-sugars Added sugars are sugars that are added to foods and drinks during processing or preparation, and they do not include sugars found naturally in fruit or milk [\[3\]](). The primary sources of added sugars include sugary drinks like sodas, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks. They are also found in high amounts in sweets, baked goods, sweetened breakfast cereals, and sweetened dairy products [\[1\]](). Excessive consumption of added sugars can lead to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay [\[3\]](). It is important to read Nutrition Facts labels to identify the amount of added sugars in products [\[1\]](). ## Sources of Added Sugars in Drinks Sugary drinks are considered the main source of added sugars in the diet. These drinks include: - **Sodas:** Contain very high amounts of added sugar. For example, a 12-ounce can of soda contains about 10 teaspoons (about 42 grams) of added sugar [\[3\]](). - **Fruit drinks:** These are often sweetened with large amounts of added sugar, even if they contain fruit juice [\[3\]](). - **Energy drinks and sports drinks:** In addition to added sugars, they may contain large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants, which raises health concerns especially for young people [\[3\]](). - **Sweetened coffee and tea:** Drinks purchased from coffee shops that contain flavors and whipped cream, as well as coffee and tea sweetened at home [\[3\]](). ## Common Foods High in Added Sugars In addition to drinks, added sugars are found in many processed foods: - **Sweets and baked goods:** Such as cakes, cookies, candy, and pastries [\[1\]](). - **Breakfast cereals:** Many types of breakfast cereals, especially those marketed to children, contain large amounts of added sugar [\[1\]](). - **Sweetened dairy products:** Such as flavored yogurt and ice cream [\[1\]](). - **Processed snacks:** Such as sweetened granola bars and some types of crackers [\[1\]](). ## How to Identify Added Sugars and Reduce Consumption To identify added sugars, you must read the Nutrition Facts labels on products. The label will display the total sugar amount and added sugars [\[1\]](). Look for ingredients such as cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, honey, maple syrup, and molasses; these are all names for added sugars [\[3\]](). To reduce the consumption of added sugars, you can follow these tips: - Choose water instead of sugary drinks. You can add fruit slices like lemon or berries for flavor [\[3\]](). - Choose whole grains instead of refined grains, as they provide fiber and nutrients and reduce added sugars [\[1\]](). - Eat whole fruit instead of sweetened fruit juices [\[1\]](). - Choose unsweetened dairy products [\[1\]](). - When shopping, compare Nutrition Facts labels and choose products that contain the lowest amount of added sugars [\[3\]](). For more in-depth information about complex and simple carbohydrates and how to choose the best ones for your health, you can visit [Complex and Simple Carbohydrates: A Guide to Choosing the Best for Your Health (Arabic)](). ## Added Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners While artificial sweeteners aim to reduce calories and sugar, current recommendations suggest not using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight [\[2\]](). Some studies have linked artificial sweeteners to a slight increase in the risk of cancer in general, but the evidence remains limited and inconclusive, and there is no conclusive evidence that these sweeteners cause cancer in humans [\[2\]](). It is important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any low-carb diet or using artificial sweeteners heavily [\[1\]](). ## Medical references - [Carbohydrates]() - [Rethink Your Drink]() - [Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/foods-drinks-high-added-sugars#answer