WHO urges reduced sugar intake

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a Draft Guideline on Sugar Intake for Adults and Children for public consultation until 31 March 2014.

In releasing the Draft Guidelines, WHO expresses great concern at "the role free sugars play in the development of dental diseases, particularly dental caries".

They note that "Dental diseases are the most prevalent NCDs globally and though great improvements in prevention and treatment have occurred in the last decades, dental diseases continue to cause pain, anxiety, functional limitation and social handicap through tooth loss, for large numbers of people worldwide. The treatment of dental diseases is expensive—costing between 5 and 10% of health budgets in industrialised countries—and would exceed the financial resources available for the whole of health care for children in the majority of lower-income countries."

The Draft Guidelines suggest halving the recommended daily intake to 5 teaspoons of sugar per day.  They also warn that "Much of the sugars consumed today are 'hidden' in processed foods that are not usually seen as sweets," pointing out that a single can of sugar-sweetened soda contains about 40 grams - or 10 teaspoons - of sugar.

Members may also be interested to read the article on dental caries which informed the development of the updated Draft Guidelines -
Moynihan PJ , Kelly SA. Effect on caries of restricting sugars intake: systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. J Dent Res. 2014 Jan;93(1):8-18.