Guest post from Jean Larson licensed and registered dietitian at Essentia Health, one of Up North Parent's Sponsors Most Americans consume 20 teaspoons of sugar every day. In comparison, our paleolithic ancestors consumed an estimated 20 teaspoons in a year. But we’re not digging into the sugar bowl. Instead, most of the sugar we eat is hidden in foods that we might not even see as sweet treats. The health risks of excess sugar are vast, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment, dementia, and cancer. Less obvious issues include headaches, mood swings, depression, anxiety, lowered immune system, increased stress and nutrient