Tag: Sugar taxes

Globally, the average person consumes about 24 kilograms (53 pounds) of sugar every year, a figure that varies dramatically by region. This high intake level presents significant public health challenges worldwide, linking directly to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Understanding the complex factors behind this global sweetener trend reveals a story of economics, policy, and human behavior.

According to a 2017 study in *Nutrition Journal*, the average added sugar intake for adults in Europe is lower than in the United States, hovering around 7-11% of total energy intake. This statistic begs the question: does food in Europe have less sugar across the board, and what factors contribute to this difference?