Sugars are sources of energy; most Americans overconsume this nutrient.

  Many sweet foods contain added sugars (sucrose, a disaccharide).

  Other packaged foods use a cheaper sweetener: high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS, a mix of the monosaccharides glucose and fructose).

Both sucrose and HFCS are refined, processed sugars that should be consumed in moderation to avoid excess calories in your diet.