According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes roughly 47 pounds of cane sugar a 35 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup per year. Not only does the average person underestimate just how much sugar they consume, many assume that sugar’s effect on the body is purely weight-related. In truth, weight loss and weight management are just two reasons to decrease sugar in the diet. The key is to understand exactly how sugar, both simple table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, affects the human body head to toe.

infograph by TotalWoman.com