Sugar is part of many people’s daily diets, with some finding it difficult to go a day without consuming something containing added sugar, whether at home or at work.
This includes not only sugar added to porridge or tea, but also sugar in soft drinks such as Fanta, non-natural fruit juices and other sweetened beverages.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says consuming beverages with added sugar every day can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dental problems and other diet-related health conditions.
WHO recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10% of daily energy intake, with further health benefits associated with keeping intake below 5%, or about 25 grammes, equivalent to roughly six teaspoons, per day.
A study by Mass General Brigham’s Cancer Institute in collaboration with Harvard University found that people who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day had a 2.45-fold higher risk of gastric cancer compared with those who did not consume such drinks.
The study also found that consuming two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day was associated with a 35% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
Research has also indicated that children who consume two or more sugary drinks a day may have a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Research from Tufts University has estimated that sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to about 2.2 million new cases of diabetes worldwide each year.
Some studies have also linked regular consumption of sugary drinks with increased fat accumulation in the liver, which can contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular problems.
A study involving about 1.5 million people found that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a 17% higher risk of obesity and a 10% higher risk of stroke.
WHO also identifies added sugar as an important contributor to tooth decay and says reducing sugar intake can lower the risk of developing dental problems.
