WHO Recommends Strictly Restricting Sugar Intake

[MeSci]

From Physician's Health Watch:

WHO Recommends Strictly Restricting Sugar Intake
By Kelly Young

The World Health Organization has proposed lowering the recommended upper limit for dietary sugars to less than 5% of total energy intake to reduce the risk for excess weight gain and dental cavities.

In draft guidelines, the WHO maintains that sugars should comprise less than 10% of a person's caloric intake, as it noted in its 2002 guidelines, but further benefits would be seen if less than 5% of calories were from sugar. This is equivalent to about six teaspoons of sugar a day. One can of soda may contain around 10 teaspoons.

The group is seeking public input until the end of March before releasing its final guidelines.

Link(s):
WHO news release (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;67967527;yUgZF9JnMw+ZMGIRVto3J5OE+GYbnRMZqKPA4+mtuNc=
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of U.S. dietary guidelines (Free) http://click.jwatch.org/cts/click?q=227;67967527;yUgZF9JnMw+ZMGIRVto3JxA+hSZ67ptVqKPA4+mtuNc=