American adults consume on average about 15 of their calories from sugars added to foods during processing with a whopping 37 of the added sugar consumed in sugar sweetened beverages suggests an analysis of data extending back about 25 years. Regularly drinking as little as one 12 ounce sugary soda a day may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by about 30 independent of total calories obesity or other risk factors as per a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. Epidemiologic studies have linked high consumption of added sugar with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes obesity and hypertension. The American Heart Association recommends less than 100 calories a day about 5 of total daily calories for women and 150 calories a day about 7.5 of total daily calories for men from added sugars. The risk of CVD mortality becomes elevated once added sugar intake surpasses 15 of daily calories equivalent to drinking one 20 ounce Mountain Dew soda in a 2000 calorie daily diet. The risk rises exponentially as sugar intake increases peaking with a fourfold increased risk of CVD death for individuals who consume one third or more of their daily calories in added sugar.