How much sugar should you consume each day?

The American Heart Association recommends that men consume less than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day and women consume less than 6 teaspoons. This is equal to 150 calories for men and 100 calories for women, according to the American Heart Association.

Added sugars and naturally occurring sugars are the two types of sugar found in the American diet, states the AHA. Naturally occurring sugars are found in fruits and vegetables, and added sugars are found in food products such as cereals, sodas, candy, cakes and cookies. Added sugars should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.