The Truth about Sugar

Dent Update. 2015 Jul-Aug;42(6):507-10, 512. doi: 10.12968/denu.2015.42.6.507.

Abstract

Sugars are used by the industry to enhance the attractiveness of foods and drinks. These added sugars, or 'free sugars', are not easily identified in food or drink labels. Certain manufactured foods and drinks with 'safe' names, such as dried fruit and fruit juice, still contain free sugars and can be confusing. Guidance states that daily consumption of free sugars should be less than 10% of total energy intake (no more than 5% in the UK). However, it is found that both tooth decay and obesity are associated with consumption of free sugars in large quantities and at inappropriate times.

MeSH terms

  • Beverages / analysis
  • Dental Caries / etiology
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / classification
  • Dietary Sucrose / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Sucrose / analysis
  • Dietary Sucrose / classification*
  • Dietary Sucrose / economics
  • Energy Intake
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Food Analysis
  • Health Education, Dental
  • Humans
  • Nutrition Policy
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Sweetening Agents / administration & dosage
  • Sweetening Agents / analysis
  • Sweetening Agents / classification*
  • Sweetening Agents / economics
  • Taxes

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Sucrose
  • Sweetening Agents