# What is the difference between "Total Sugars" and "Added Sugars" on nutrition labels, and why is this distinction important for your health? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/total-vs-added-sugars-nutrition-label-difference-health-impact Language: en Category: nutrition Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.862Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.862Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/total-vs-added-sugars-nutrition-label-difference-health-impact When reading nutrition labels, you may notice two distinct sections for sugars: "Total Sugars" and "Added Sugars." Understanding the difference between them is essential for making healthy dietary choices, as each affects your body differently. ## Total Sugars: An Overview "Total Sugars" refers to the cumulative amount of sugars present in a food product, regardless of their source. This figure includes natural sugars found in ingredients like fruit (fructose) and dairy products (lactose), as well as any sugars added during the manufacturing process [\[1\]](). For example, a cup of milk contains natural sugars (lactose), while a piece of cake contains natural sugars from flour and possibly fruit, in addition to significant amounts of added sugars. Sugars, in general, are a primary source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates, which include sugars, are the body's main fuel and are found in starchy foods like bread and rice, as well as in sugary foods like candy and jam [\[3\]](). ## Added Sugars: Focusing on Non-Natural Sources "Added Sugars" are sugars added to foods and beverages during processing or preparation. This category does not include sugars that occur naturally in fruit or milk [\[1\]](). Added sugars can take the form of table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses, or any other sweeteners added to enhance taste, texture, or to increase the product's shelf life. Excessive consumption of added sugars is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, weight gain, and obesity [\[2\]](). Therefore, understanding the amount of added sugars in your food is a critical step toward a healthy diet. ## Why Is This Distinction Important? Distinguishing between Total Sugars and Added Sugars helps you make more informed nutritional decisions. While natural sugars in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products provide beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals, added sugars often provide empty calories with little to no nutritional value. For example, drinking a bottle of juice that contains two servings means you are consuming twice the amount of sugar listed on the label if you drink the entire bottle [\[1\]](). Dietary guidelines recommend limiting the intake of added sugars to help build healthy eating patterns [\[2\]](). By focusing on added sugars, you can identify which foods contribute significantly to your daily sugar intake and adjust accordingly. ## Practical Tips for Making Healthy Choices - **Read labels carefully:** Look for the "Added Sugars" section and try to choose products that contain lower amounts. - **Pay attention to serving size:** Remember that the nutritional information on the label is per serving. If you consume more than one serving, you are consuming larger amounts of sugar and calories [\[1\]](). - **Choose whole foods:** Focus on eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and proteins [\[2\]](). These foods contain natural sugars accompanied by fiber and other nutrients. - **Be wary of different terms:** Added sugars may appear under various names in the ingredient list, such as corn syrup, glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, honey, maple syrup, and others. For more information on how to understand nutrition labels and make healthy choices, you can visit [Reading Nutrition Labels: Your Guide to Understanding Ingredients and Making Healthy Choices (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Food Labeling]() - [Fresh Take on What "Healthy" Means on Food Packages]() - [From the Label to the Table!]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/total-vs-added-sugars-nutrition-label-difference-health-impact#answer