New WHO guideline on sugar intake

Sugar intake should be significantly reduced according to WHO guidelines

05/03/2015

The World Health Organization (WHO) has adapted its recommendations on sugar intake, making it clear that in adults and children, sugar intake should generally account for less than 10% of total daily energy intake. In addition, could „another reduction to less than five percent or about 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day adds health benefits“ according to the WHO communication.

According to the World Health Organization, reducing the intake of sugar would significantly reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, obesity, tooth decay or diabetes. For this reason, the WHO has for the first time - subject to conditional reservations - advocated a sugar intake of less than five percent of the total daily energy intake in the adult and child intake guidelines. Even with a sugar intake of less than ten percent of the total energy intake, there were significant positive health effects. However, the analysis of the available studies has provided additional evidence that further reduction in health to less than five percent is achievable, according to the WHO communication.

Natural sugar in fruits, vegetables and milk not affected
After extensive scientific evaluation, the WHO guidelines set a „strong recommendation“ for a sugar intake below ten percent of the total energy intake as well as a „conditional recommendation“ to reduce to less than five percent. The specifications refer to monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose as well as disaccharides (eg sucrose or table sugar) added to foods and drinks or naturally present in honey, syrups, juices and fruit juice concentrates. The natural sugars in fresh fruits and vegetables or milk are not affected, as there are no indications of adverse effects of consuming these sugars, WHO added.

Hidden sugar in processed foods
The hidden sugar in many processed foods is extremely worrying, according to WHO experts. Often consumers do not associate their consumption with such intake of sugar. For example, one tablespoon of ketchup contains about four grams (about one teaspoon) of free sugar. Thus compliance with the guideline value of five or ten percent of the daily energy intake with a little bit of ketchup is already much more difficult. If desserts or sugary drinks are added, the requirements of the WHO are as a rule barely fulfilled. Because „a single can of sugar sweetened lemonade contains up to 40 grams (about 10 teaspoons) of free sugars“, according to the WHO communication.

High sugar intake promotes noncommunicable diseases
The current recommendations are based on the analysis of the latest scientific evidence, which shows, for example, that adults who consume less sugar have a lower body weight, according to the WHO communication. An increase in the amount of sugar in the diet, however, is associated with an increase in weight. In addition, studies have shown that children with the highest intake of sugary drinks are more likely to be overweight or obese than children with low intake of such drinks. There is also evidence that sugar intake above ten percent of daily energy intake is associated with a significantly increased risk of caries compared to intake of free sugars below ten percent, according to the WHO communication.

Noncommunicable diseases most common cause of death worldwide
The review of the adult and pediatric sugar intake guidelines is part of the WHO strategy for controlling noncommunicable diseases. According to the WHO, the latter accounted for 38 million (68%) of the 56 million deaths worldwide in 2012, including 16 million deaths among those under the age of 70. Modifiable risk factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity are among the most common causes of noncommunicable diseases, not least because they are also risk factors for the development of obesity, which in turn plays a key role in the development of many noncommunicable diseases, according to the WHO. (Fp)