© Shutterstock

Increased sugar consumption -

There’s no shortage of studies on the increased rates of sugar consumption. Humans have never before consumed so much of it.

© Getty Images

Sugar cane production -

There’s a reason why. It’s cheaper than ever. Agricultural advancements have made sugar an accessible pantry staple.

© Getty Images

Global consumption -

Global trade mechanisms have also facilitated its widespread use. But there are 10 countries that stand out in terms of global consumption. Do you know which countries consume the most sugar in the world? Some may actually surprise you.

© Getty Images

10. Canada -

Canadians are the 10th highest sugar consumers in the world. Statistics show that nearly two-thirds of Canadians consume more than the daily recommended amount of sugar.

© Getty Images

Rise of chronic health issues -

Public health experts attribute the rise of 16 chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, to the mass overconsumption of sugar.

© Getty Images

9. Finland -

Approximately one-fifth of all sugar consumption in Finland comes from sugary drinks. Can you guess how much sugar the average Finn consumes on a daily basis?

© Getty Images

Measures to tax sugary products -

Each Finn consumes approximately 91.5 grams (3.2 ounces) of sugar per day. Despite its high consumption, nearly 60% of the population support measures to further tax sugary products.

© Getty Images

8. Mexico -

Mexico, which has earned the moniker "Coca-Cola Nation," is the eighth-biggest sugar consumer in the world, mostly from sugary drinks.

© Getty Images

Consumption of sugar in Mexico -

In fact, the nation has the highest soda consumption rates per person in the world. The average Mexican consumes 92.5 grams (3.3 ounces) of sugar per day.

© Getty Images

7. United Kingdom -

The United Kingdom comes in as the seventh-largest consumer of sugar in the world. Each person in the UK consumes about 93.2 grams (3.3 ounces) of sugar per day.

© Getty Images

Recommendations to cap consumption -

The government has issued a number of recommendations to cap daily sugar indicate, but the rates of consumption are much higher. Young people in particular are guilty of overconsuming sugar in their daily diet.

© Getty Images

6. Belgium -

It's no secret that Belgian chocolate is iconic. Therefore, it makes sense that the majority of the nation’s consumption comes from confectionery treats.

© Getty Images

Sugary drinks -

But it’s not just the chocolate that’s making the average Belgian consume 95 grams (3.4 ounces) of sugar a day. Studies show that one-fifth of all Belgians ingest at least one sugary drink per day.

© Getty Images

5. Australia -

Australians take the fifth spot on the list of countries that consume the most sugar. The average Australian ingests 95.6 grams (3.4 ounces) of sugar per day.

© Getty Images

Processed foods -

Sugar is a hidden ingredient in a number of processed foods, and those numbers quickly add up. Research shows that 81% of added sugars consumed in the nation are rooted in the ingestion of sugary drinks and processed foods.

© Getty Images

4. Ireland -

The Irish are particularly fond of sugary drinks. The nation’s residents purchase over 411 million liters (109 million gallons) of sugar on an annual basis.

© Getty Images

Socio-economic division -

The average person consumes 96.7 grams (3.4 ounces) of sugar per day. The socio-economic division of sugar consumption is stark, with lower-income individuals consuming approximately three times the amount of sugar as those from higher-income brackets.

© Getty Images

3. The Netherlands -

The Dutch are the third-largest consumers of sugar in the world. The average daily consumption is about 102.5 grams (3.5 ounces) per person.

© Getty Images

Flavor enhancers -

About three-fourths of the population use “flavor enhancers” while cooking, leading to a higher consumption of added sugars that most people are entirely unaware of.

© Getty Images

Lack of awareness -

Studies show that the Dutch believe that they consume about half the amount of sugar on a daily basis that they actually do. It’s no wonder that type 2 diabetes diagnoses continue to rise.

© Getty Images

2. Germany -

If you’ve ever been to Germany, you’ve surely been tempted by the scent of freshly baked goods. Nearly half of the population eats dessert on a daily basis and average a sugar intake of 102.9 grams (3.6 ounces).

© Getty Images

Measures to control consumption -

The German government has attempted a series of measures to try to control the high consumption of sugar in the nation, given the population’s excessive ingestion.

© Getty Images

Mostly from confectionary products -

Research shows that 36% of sugar ingestion comes from confectionary products, with nearly 38% coming from drinks like juices, nectars, and sodas.

© Getty Images

1. United States -

The biggest consumer of sugar in the world is the United States. America takes the number one spot by quite a stretch, consuming 24 grams (0.85 ounces) of sugar more per day than Germans.

© Getty Images

A diet rich in processed foods -

The overwhelming majority of Americans’ diets revolve around the consumption of processed foods. Not only are these foods high in calories, but they also contain a lot of added sugars.

© Getty Images

Snacking nation -

But it’s not just processed foods. Americans also snack. A lot. Snacking alone makes up a third of sugar intake. The average American consumes 126.4 grams (4.5 ounces) of sugar per day.

© Getty Images

Rates skyrocketed -

Over the last several decades, sugar consumption rates have skyrocketed. Higher rates of chronic diseases tied to lifestyle choices also accompanied the rise in consumption.

© Getty Images

Sugar is addictive -

Beyond the accessibility of sugar, why are so many people consuming such high doses? Studies have shown that sugar has an addictive quality. Consuming it can be akin to the effects of some addictive drugs.

© Getty Images

Dopamine rush -

Consuming sugar triggers the release of dopamine, which the brain associates with feelings of pleasure. So the more sugar we’re consuming, the more dopamine hits we are subjected to and, therefore, constantly seek.

Sources: (World Atlas) (Healthline) (National Institutes of Health)

See also: What happens to your body when you stop eating sugar?

© Getty Images