WHO Guideline Limits Intake of Free Sugars

A new guideline from the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) recommends reducing the daily free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy intake.

The recommendations are based on analysis of the latest scientific evidence, which shows that adults who consume less sugar have lower body weight, and that increasing the amount of sugars in the diet is associated with a weight increase. In addition, the research shows that children with the highest intakes of sugar-sweetened drinks are more likely to be overweight or obese than children with a low intake of sugar-sweetened drinks.

The recommendation is further supported by evidence showing higher rates of dental caries when the intake of free sugars is above 10% of total energy intake, compared with an intake of free sugars below 10% of total energy intake. A further reduction, to less than 5% of total energy intake, was classed as a conditional recommendation, as the quality of evidence may not be strong enough. The new guideline, however, does not include sugars found in fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk, as there is no reported evidence finding an association between adverse effects and consumption of these sugars.

“We have solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity, and tooth decay,” said Francesco Branca, MD, director of the WHO department of nutrition for health and development. “Making policy changes to support this will be key, if countries are to live up to their commitments to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.”

Free sugar intake varies across global regions. For example, while free sugar intake accounts for about 7%–8% of total energy intake in Hungary and Norway, it accounts for nearly 25% of total energy intake in Portugal. Within countries, as well, free sugar intake varies between urban and rural populations. In South Africa, for example, free sugar intake accounts for 7.5% of total energy intake among rural communities, but is higher within the urban population, at 10.3%.

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World Health Organization