Table sugar is an additive in many processed food products.
A new study has shown that high added sugar consumption can lead to 45 adverse health outcomes, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and early death.
"Free" sugars are those added during food processing, packaged as
table sugar and other sweeteners, and naturally occurring in syrups,
honey, juices, purees, pastes, and similar products, but not in dairy or
structurally whole fruits and vegetables.
- The
study suggests that people limit free sugar intake to less than 25
grams or about six teaspoons per day and reduce the consumption of
sugar-sweetened beverages to less than one serving per week.
- The authors think public health education and worldwide policies urgently need to change sugar consumption patterns.
- The study provides a valuable overview of the current state of the science on sugar consumption.
- It
confirms that overeating sugar will likely cause problems, according to
Dr. Maya Adam of Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Moderate-quality
evidence suggests that participants with the highest consumption of
sugar-sweetened beverages had higher body weight than those with the
lowest intake.
- Evidence of a link between free sugar and cancer has been limited and controversial and needs more research.
- High sugar consumption has been associated with obesity, a decisive risk factor for various cancers.
- Consumers
can reduce sugar intake by reading nutrition labels, choosing water
instead of sugary drinks, having fresh or frozen fruit for dessert,
cooking and baking at home, getting enough good-quality sleep, and
cutting back gradually.
