Gen Z leads the list of age groups consuming the most sweets in the United States, according to a recent study by "Talker Research" involving 2,000 American adults. The results, as reported by "The Independent", reveal that about three-quarters of young people aged 14 to 29 consume between one and six servings of cookies, ice cream, chocolate, and candy daily. This represents a significant surge compared to older generations, who recorded a consumption rate of only 57%. This reality is a cause for concern. Data from the American Heart Association points to a worrying health situation, where the average American consumes nearly 28 kilograms of added sugar per year, equivalent to the weight of six heavy bowling balls. While adults and young people get an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar per day, this is more than three times the recommended amount for both men and women. Health experts warn that this dietary pattern, which is 90% dependent on ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, leads to dire consequences, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation. This directly increases the risk of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with 900,000 deaths annually. In a related context, recent studies have linked rising global temperatures to increased consumption of sweets. High heat drives consumers towards more sugary cold drinks and ice cream. Specialists advise the necessity of monitoring food labels and avoiding ingredients ending in "ose", such as fructose and dextrose, to reduce reliance on hidden sugars that threaten public health and accelerate the onset of obesity and arterial diseases.
