Added sugars

"Empty calories" are a common term for added sugars. But sugar's negative effects go far further than that. Excess consumption of fructose-rich sugars, such as high-fructose corn syrup, has been associated with a number of significant diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, and cancer.

Foods with a lot of added sugar are also highly processed and may have addictive qualities, making it difficult for some people to control their intake. Some scientists have attributed this to sugar's ability to trigger the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that increases reward pathways, based on studies in animals. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and fruit juices, and eat processed snacks and sweets in moderation to reduce your added sugar consumption.