How much sugar should you be eating? Apparently your sugar intake needs be halved, according to the new World Health Organization guidelines. While in the past, WHO recommend that sugar should stay below 10 percent of total calorie intake per day, the organization is now recommending that 5 percent should be the target.
WHO came to these new guidelines after reviewing about 9,000 studies. This drop in sugar intake could help combat obesity and cavities, according to The Washington Post. The sugars included in this drop encompass those added to foods in addition to those present in honey, syrups and fruit juices. However, they don't include the ones naturally occurring in fruits.
"There is increasing concern that consumption of free sugars-particularly in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages-increases overall energy intake and may reduce the intake of foods containing more nutritionally adequate calories," stated the WHO in a news release.
The last time WHO revised its sugar guidelines was more than a decade ago, according to The Washington Post. At the time, the sugar industry lobbied Congress to withdraw millions of dollars of funding from WHO.
Yet eating an unhealthy diet with a higher sugar content can result in a host of issues. It can cause weight gain, an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, and other health problems, according to Reuters. The new recommendation could potentially help combat these issues in the future.
So exactly how much sugar should you be taking? Five percent of total energy intake for a normal adult means a mere 25 grams (or around six teaspoons) of sugar per day. The new guidelines could make manufacturers rethink how they're using sugars in processed foods like bread and soup.
How much sugar are you eating per day? You may be eating too much. By cutting down sugars, you could improve your diet and live a healthier life in the long run.
