People should get no more than 10 per cent of their calories from sugar, experts say in a new report on how to stem the global epidemic of obesity linked diseases.
The study is being hailed the most significant on diet in a decade. Although concerns about sugar intake are not new, very few experts have recommended a specific limit. The food industry decried the document, insisting more exercise is the key to ending obesity.
The report, commissioned by the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation and compiled by a panel of 30 international experts, made standard recommendations on exercise and other aspects of diet.
But on sugar it said people should restrict their consumption of added sugar – meaning sugar not naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices – to below 10 per cent of calories. US guidelines have put the figure at 25 per cent.
AP