There are lots of things we want to do in life.

Climb a mountain, write a song, watch our grandchildren go up.

But guess what?

We can't do any of those things if we don't have our health.

Welcome to the Nutrition Facts Podcast.

I'm your host, Dr. Michael Greger.

And I'm here to bring you evidence-based research

that takes the mystery out of the best way

to live a healthier, longer life.

There's lots to recommend for limiting the amount of sugar

we eat in our first story.

We find out of table sugar and high fructose corn syrup

or just empty calories, or can they be actively harmful?

In 1776, at the time of the American Revolution of Americans,

consumed about four pounds of sugar per person each year.

By 1850, this has risen to 20 pounds,

and by 1994 to 120 pounds.

Now, we're closer to 160.

Half of that is fructose, taking up about 10% of our diet.

This is not for meeting apples,

but rather the fact that we're each guzzling

the equivalent of a 16 ounce soft drink every day on average.

...