60 Minutes had an excellent segment on this subject. 

Speaking of sugar, take a look at this visual. It's the most-viewed post that I have ever published.

Interesting video from Soda Free Summer. Also visit: Have a Coke and a . . .

On average, we're consuming twice as much sugar as recommended. Our bodies require sugar. However, over time and in large quantities sugar is toxic. This chart from the CDC provides the stats.

If you're drinking just one can of soda per day (10 teaspoons of sugar), this is the amount of sugar you are consuming annually.

That's the headline/question of this New York Times article. In a word, yes. 

A little sugar is not going to harm anyone. However, the quantity that most people consume (on average, 150 pounds per year) is much more than our bodies can handle. 

It's not just in cookies, candies, soda, and ice cream. Sugar is showing up in many unexpected places. For example, hamburger buns. Of course, it's in ketchup and salad dressing. Each contains about 25% sugar. 

If you would like to see how much sugar you consume by drinking one soda per day, take a peek. 

So, yes, sugar in large quantities is most definitely a toxic substance.

While this interview and article date back to 2003 and 2004, they are a great window into the world of politics and our food system. In this case, sugar.

When it comes to the American food system, it's hard to shock me. However, when I read that this candy boasted that it is: "A Fat Free Candy", I was surprised. 

Why? 

It ain't the fat that counts, it's the calories and sugar. This box contains 630 calories and 28 teaspoons of sugar. Yep, it's good and plenty full of calories and sugar.

The Fat Free statement reminds me of this quote: As a population, we cut dietary fat in a rather dysfunctional way, and we grew even fatter. – Dr. David L. Katz

When you drink a 20-ounce soda, how much sugar are you consuming? Take a look. 

If you drink one 12-ounce can of soda per day, this is the amount of sugar you will consume in a year.

*Eating a bagel and eating a cup of sugar may taste different, but metabolically they are no different. - Dr. David Ludwig

*The same can be stated for candy, cookies, and many of the other sugary things we eat. However, I am not sure about the actual measurement Dr. Ludwig uses.

If you drink one soda per day, you might want to look at the amount of sugar you consume.