sugary

Sugary is an adjective that describes foods or drinks that contain sugar or have a high degree of sweetness. In ordinary usage it can refer to flavors that taste distinctly of sugar, or to products that rely heavily on added sugars. The term can apply to a wide range of items, including desserts, soft drinks, syrups, cereals, and many processed foods.

As a culinary descriptor, sugary may imply an excessive sweetness that can overpower other flavors. In literary or media criticism, it is sometimes used pejoratively to signal saccharine or overly sentimental tone, rather than a literal sugar content.

Chemically, sugar denotes a class of sweet-tasting carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Foods described as sugary may contain these sugars naturally or as added ingredients. Nutrition labeling often distinguishes total sugars from added sugars to reflect their dietary impact.

Health and policy discussions emphasize limiting added sugars due to associations with dental caries, weight gain, and metabolic disorders. Public health guidance typically focuses on reducing sugary beverages and processed snacks, while manufacturers explore reformulation, natural sweeteners, or reduced-sugar alternatives.