Final answer:
The recommended upper limit for added sugar intake is 25 grams per day for women and 38.75 grams for men, not 100 grams. Excess added sugar can lead to serious health issues, and it's advised to consume less than 10 percent of daily calories from added sugars. Regular consumption of sugary drinks can contribute to metabolic syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tolerable upper intake level of sugar is not specified at 100 grams per day. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugars to no more than 25 grams (100 calories) and men to about 38.75 grams (155 calories) per day. Excessive intake of added sugars found in processed foods can lead to health issues such as heart disease, obesity, cavities, and Type 2 diabetes. It is essential for individuals to consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars, which aligns with maintaining a diet low in saturated fats and sodium as well.
Concerning carbohydrates, it's recommended that up to the age of 13 years, individuals need about 130 grams of carbohydrates daily, mostly from complex sources. This is because complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly, providing more sustained and consistent energy. In contrast, glucose tolerance tests used to screen for diabetes require a dietary intake of more than 150 grams of carbohydrates per day prior to the test.
As for glucose, the most abundant sugar found in nature, normal blood sugar values should be maintained between 70 to 105 mg/dL. Consuming sugary drinks regularly, as nearly 50 percent of Americans do, can contribute to metabolic syndrome, which includes a cluster of conditions like increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels.