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| Sugar
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| Experts recommend drastic cuts to sugar intake for kids
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New research from the UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) suggests intake of free sugars should be reduced to half the current recommended daily amount to stem the obesity epidemic, slow the increase in diabetes and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Free sugars are those added to food (e.g. sucrose (table sugar), glucose) or those naturally present in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices, but exclude lactose in milk and milk products.
In its report Carbohydrates and Health, the SACN, an independent body of expert nutritionists, says free sugars should account for no more than 5 per cent of daily energy intake. This is:
- 19g or 5 sugar cubes for children aged 4 to 6,
- 24g or 6 sugar cubes for children aged 7 to 10,
- 30g or 7 sugar cubes for 11 years and older, based on average population diets.
In its report, SACN examines the links between consumption of carbohydrates, sugars, starch and fibre and the range of health outcomes such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, bowel health and tooth decay. The nutritionists found:
- High levels of sugar consumption are associated with a greater risk of tooth decay.
- The higher the proportion of sugars in the diet, the greater the risk of high energy intake.
- Drinking high-sugar beverages results in weight gain and increases in BMI in teenagers and children.
- Consuming too many high-sugar beverages increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Professor Ian Macdonald, chair of the SACN Carbohydrates and Health working group, said the evidence was stark – too much sugar is harmful to health and we all need to cut back.
“The clear and consistent link between a high-sugar diet and conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes is the wake-up call we need to rethink our diet.
Cut down on sugars, increase fibre and we'll all have a better chance of living longer, healthier lives,” he said.
The SACN report also looked at the amount of carbohydrates and fibre being consumed, and the link to health outcomes and recommended that:
- Starchy carbohydrates, wholegrain where possible, should form 50% of daily calorie intake
- People aged 16 and over should increase their intake of fibre to 30g a day, 25g for 11- to 15- year-olds, 20g for 5- to 11-year-olds and 15g for 2- to 5-year olds.
The recommendations have been handed to the British government for review and consideration. For more information click here.
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