Adults Who Frequently Read Food Labels Consume Less Added Sugar, Study Finds

Added sugar is commonly found in packaged foods, sweetened beverages, desserts and processed snacks. Regularly consuming excessive amounts can contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Nutrition labels provide information about sugar, calories, carbohydrates and other ingredients. Reading these labels can help consumers compare products and make more informed food choices.

Researchers analysed data from 9,416 children and adults participating in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They examined the relationship between how frequently participants read nutrition labels and their reported added-sugar consumption.

Adults who frequently read food labels consumed 42.8 grams less added sugar per day than those who read labels infrequently. Among children, the difference was 14.5 grams.

The findings suggest that nutrition-label awareness may support healthier dietary decisions. However, the study is observational and cannot prove that reading labels alone caused the differences in sugar intake.

For people at risk of diabetes, checking added-sugar content, choosing less-sweetened foods and maintaining a balanced diet can support better long-term metabolic health.