Messages about reducing sugar intake unclear, say campaigners

New WHO guidelines must be translated into something meaningful to consumers, says director of Action on SugarOne Starbucks caramel frappuccino with skimmed milk and whipped cream contains nearly twice as much sugar as the World Health Organisation says is the advisable daily intake, and a can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi has one and a half times the amount, but campaigners worry that the message about cutting down on sugar is insufficiently clear.In a draft updated guideline on sugar consumption, WHO recommended on Wednesday that no more than 10% of our calories should come from sugar, but suggested less than 5% would be preferable.For an average adult consuming 2,000 calories a day, that equates to 50g of sugar – or 12 teaspoons – at the higher limit and 25g – six teaspoons – at the lower limit.A child, whose calorie intake is much lower, would reach the limit even faster.The Starbucks caramel frappuccino contains more than 44g of sugar – 11 teaspoons – which is considerably above the lower limit and almost at the upper limit, suggesting that it could be unwise to drink one at all.Coca-Cola and Pepsi in 330ml cans have nine teaspoons of sugar, a 51g Mars bar has eight teaspoons and a Muller Crunch Corner strawberry shortcake yoghurt six teaspoons. There is added sugar in many savoury dishes, including pasta sauce and soup, to improve taste and texture.Aseem Malhotra, cardiologist and science director of the pressure group Action on Sugar, which produced the table of fo...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Nutrition The Guardian Food & drink industry Obesity Diets and dieting World news Health wellbeing Society Life and style Diabetes World Health Organisation Business Science Source Type: news