The American Heart Association (AHA)has released figures that say Americans are consuming around three times the amount of sugar that they should to stay healthy, and they are recommending limits of sugar consumption.

The AHA found that on average, Americans consume 22 teaspoons of sugar every day, which they say can lead to heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health problems. Most of this excess sugar consumption is attributable to soft drinks, which contain 8 teaspoons of sugar in a single can.

"Most American women should eat or drink no more than 100 calories per day from added sugars, and most American men should eat or drink no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars," says the AHA statement. That adds up to about 8 teaspoons of sugar per day for men and 6 teaspoons for women.

The new guidelines do not apply to naturally occurring sugars such as the kind found in fruits, vegetables and milk. It is mainly refined sugar extracted from cane, beets or corn to which the recommendations apply.

Weaning oneself off sugar can be difficult, but herbal appetite suppressants such as Psyllium or protein-rich food can help curb cravings by maintaining a feeling of fullness for longer periods of time.