Once you start reading food labels and measuring portion sizes, it’s easy to see how much added sugar hides in everyday products—even those that are marketed as “healthy.” Thanks to this, Americans consume far more sugar than experts recommend, averaging 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day, which is nearly double the daily limit for men and almost triple for women, according to the American Heart Association.
But not every state is equally sweet-toothed. A recent analysis of national data examined regional patterns in America’s sugar habits. The study from Escoffier combined data from the National Center for Health Statistics, beverage sales reports, and national dietary surveys to capture overall sugar intake. The 10 highest sugar-consuming states are Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
Kentucky stands out as the country’s sugar capital. Residents consume an average of 21.2 teaspoons of added sugar per day, topping the charts for sugary drinks and snacks. This aligns with the state’s broader health struggles, including high rates of obesity and diabetes. Experts blame Kentucky’s sweet tea culture, comfort food traditions, and economic challenges.
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The South and Midwest dominate the upper portion of the rankings, with six of the top 10 sugar-consuming states being in the South, including Mississippi, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Alabama. Three come from the Midwest, including South Dakota, Iowa, and Indiana. These regions seem to share preferences for sweet foods along with higher poverty rates and widespread chain restaurant access, which often leads to higher sugar intake.
On the other hand, Western and Northeastern states tend to consume less sugar. Seven of the bottom 10 states are in the West, including California, Oregon, and Idaho, with Vermont and Massachusetts rounding out the list. Researchers attribute the lower consumption to better access to fresh and local produce, health-conscious cultural norms, and policy interventions like soda taxes in select cities, which have reduced sugar-sweetened beverage intake.
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