What is the food that has the most sugar in the world?

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Heart Association, sugar-sweetened beverages are the largest single source of added sugars in American diets. So, what is the food that has the most sugar in the world? While pinpointing a single universal answer is difficult due to varying metrics, highly processed sweets like Pixy Stix and extremely concentrated products like syrups typically contain the highest percentage of sugar by weight.

Quick Summary

This article examines various foods with the highest sugar content, from candies to syrups and processed snacks, and explores the important distinction between natural and added sugars. Key factors affecting sugar concentration and how to interpret nutritional information are also covered.

Key Points

Refined sugar is the most concentrated: In its pure form, refined, granulated sugar is the substance with the highest sugar concentration.
Powdered candies top the list: Among ready-to-eat products, powdered candies like Pixy Stix have the highest sugar concentration by weight.
Syrups are extremely concentrated: Honey, agave nectar, and other syrups are also highly concentrated sources of sugar.
Processed foods contain hidden sugar: Many savory and everyday processed foods, from sauces to cereals, contain surprisingly high amounts of added sugar.
Added vs. natural sugar matters: The health impact of naturally concentrated sugars in fruit is different from added sugars in processed items, primarily due to fiber content.
Beverages contribute most added sugar: For many people, sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice are the largest source of added sugar intake.

What Defines 'Most Sugar'?

When answering the question, "What is the food that has the most sugar in the world?", it's important to clarify the metric. Do we mean the highest sugar content per serving, or the highest concentration of sugar by weight? The answer changes depending on the criteria. For instance, a small packet of a powdered candy might have a higher sugar concentration by weight than a large dessert, even if the dessert has more total sugar in a single serving.

Candies and Confectioneries: The Obvious Contenders

For sheer sugar concentration by weight, some powdered and hard candies are difficult to beat. These products are often pure sugar, with minimal water or other ingredients.

Pixy Stix: These flavored sugar powder sticks are among the highest in sugar concentration. Some analyses show them to contain over 90 grams of sugar per 100 grams of product.
Jawbreakers and Hard Candies: Designed to be consumed slowly, jawbreakers and other hard candies are almost entirely sugar, with some containing up to 94 grams of sugar per 100 grams.
Nerds: These tiny, crunchy candies also rank very high, with analyses revealing upwards of 90 grams of sugar per 100 grams.

Sweeteners and Syrups: The Concentrated Kingpins

Beyond solid candies, certain syrups and concentrated sweeteners represent the most sugar-dense forms of food available.

Refined White Sugar: In its purest form, granulated table sugar is nearly 100% sucrose. This is the base for countless other sugary products.
Honey and Agave Nectar: While often perceived as healthier alternatives, honey and agave are extremely high in concentrated sugars. Honey contains around 82 grams of sugar per 100 grams, while agave syrup is also highly concentrated.
Corn Syrup: Especially high-fructose corn syrup, is a major source of added sugar in processed foods and beverages.
Dulce de Leche: This thick, caramel-like sauce is known for its intense sweetness. It is reported to contain up to 50% sugar by weight.

The Sneaky Sugars in Processed Foods

What makes the question complex is the hidden sugar in many everyday foods. Many consumers are surprised to learn that seemingly savory items or breakfast staples contain significant amounts of added sugar.

Breakfast Cereals and Granola: Many popular breakfast cereals and granola brands are loaded with added sugar. Some varieties can contain more than 20 grams of sugar per 100 grams.
Yogurts: Flavored fruit yogurts are often high in added sugar, sometimes containing more sugar per serving than ice cream. It is essential to check labels, as plain yogurts are a healthier, lower-sugar option.
Sauces and Condiments: Products like ketchup, barbecue sauce, and some spaghetti sauces contain surprising amounts of added sugar to balance flavor and aid preservation.

Comparison of High-Sugar Items (per 100g)


Food Item	Approximate Sugar Content per 100g	Type of Sugar	Key Concern
Pixy Stix	95g	Sucrose	Extremely high concentration with no nutritional value
Honey	82g	Fructose, Glucose	Concentrated natural sugars, still requires moderation
Skittles	76g	Added sugars	High concentration of processed, added sugar
Grape Juice	14g	Fructose, Glucose	Lack of fiber concentrates natural fruit sugars
Flavored Yogurt	19g	Added sugars, Lactose	Can have more sugar than ice cream per serving
Ketchup	22g	Added sugars	Surprising hidden sugar in a savory condiment

Natural vs. Added Sugar: What is the food that has the most sugar in the world? The Distinction is Key

For a holistic view, it is critical to distinguish between naturally occurring sugars and added sugars. While dried fruits and fruit juices contain naturally occurring sugars that can be highly concentrated due to water removal, they differ from refined sugars added to candies. Whole fruits, for instance, contain fiber which slows the absorption of their natural sugars, mitigating the blood sugar spike. In contrast, added sugars in sodas, pastries, and candies provide little to no nutritional value while delivering a large, rapid dose of sugar.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, what is the food that has the most sugar in the world? The most concentrated pure-sugar product is refined, granulated sugar itself. Among consumer food items, powdered candies like Pixy Stix and Jawbreakers consistently rank at the very top for sugar concentration by weight. However, in terms of total volume consumed and impact on public health, sweetened beverages like soda, energy drinks, and fruit juices are the primary culprits for added sugar intake in many countries. Ultimately, the highest sugar content is found in ultra-processed products designed for maximum sweetness, where refined sugar is the main ingredient.

For further reading on the effects of sugar on health, you can visit the American Heart Association website: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars

Final Recommendations

To manage sugar intake effectively, consumers should prioritize reading nutritional labels. Understanding the difference between natural sugars found in whole foods and the added sugars in processed items is crucial for making informed dietary choices. Reducing consumption of all highly sweetened products, particularly processed and sugar-sweetened beverages, is recommended for better health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refined, granulated table sugar is the purest form of sugar. Among consumer products, powdered candies like Pixy Stix or highly concentrated items like syrups (honey, corn syrup) typically have the highest sugar content by weight.

The body processes natural sugars differently when they are consumed in whole foods like fruit, which contain fiber. Fiber slows down sugar absorption. Added sugars, particularly in processed foods, often come without fiber and are associated with a greater risk of adverse health effects.

Many processed foods that are not typically considered desserts can be high in sugar. Examples include some spaghetti sauces, ketchup, granola bars, and flavored yogurts.

Yes, many fruit juices contain concentrated fruit sugars because the water has been removed. This process also eliminates the fiber found in whole fruit, meaning the sugar is absorbed quickly by the body.

The most reliable way to check a food's sugar content is by reading the nutrition facts label. Look for both the 'Total Sugars' and 'Added Sugars' sections to get a complete picture of the product.

Most candies are high in sugar, but the concentration varies. Candies that are mostly sugar and have little water or other ingredients, like powdered or hard candies, are the most concentrated. Chocolates and other filled candies can have slightly less sugar by percentage.

In many Western diets, the largest source of added sugars comes from sweetened beverages such as sodas, fruit drinks, and energy drinks. Desserts, sweet snacks, and candies are also major contributors.