For the first time, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a limit on consumption of added sugars – no more than 10 percent of daily calories. The language is part of “key recommendations” in the 2015-2020 Guidelines and is in step with a World Health Organization guideline. “There’s a huge opportunity here,” said an HHS official because 13 percent of calories in the American diet are added sugars; as much as 17 percent for children and teenagers. Chapter 1 of the Guidelines says, “When added sugars in foods and beverages exceed 10 percent of calories, a healthy eating pattern may be difficult to achieve.” Half of the U.S. population has diet-related chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and overweight and obesity, says the government.
Added sugars are sweeteners put into foods and beverages by food processors, cooks and consumers. The major sources of added sugars in the U.S. diet are soda, energy and sports drinks, grain-based desserts, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, dairy-based desserts and candy, says FDA.
The WHO recommends a 10 percent limit on added sugar in the diet to reduce the risk of gaining weight, becoming obesity and facing tooth decay and a year ago said a reduction to 5 percent, or 25 grams of sugar, the equivalent of six teaspoons, would bring added benefits. “Many of the sugars consumed today are ‘hidden’ in processed foods that are not usually seen as sweets,” said WHO, citing ketchup and soda as examples.
In its update of the omnipresent Nutrition Facts label, FDA would add a separate line for added sugars. “The percent daily value would be based on the recommendation that the daily intake of calories from added sugars not exceed 10 percent of total calories,” says FDA.
“Although the evidence for added sugars and health outcomes is still developing, the recommendation to limit calories from added sugars is consistent with research examining eating patterns and health,” said the Guidelines. “Strong evidence from mostly prospective cohort studies but also randomized controlled trials has shown that eating patterns that include lower intake of sources of added sugars are associated with reduced risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease) in adults, and moderate evidence indicates that these eating patterns are associated with reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer in adults.”
The trade group Sugar Association said the government relied “on weak science of low evidentiary value” in making its recommendation on added sugars. “We maintain these ‘added sugars’ recommendations will not withstand the scrutiny of a quality, impartial evaluation of the full body of scientific evidence.”
But the Union of Concerned Scientists said the guidelines “do follow the science” on added sugars. “To date, USDA and HHS have failed to call on industry to take the lead in reducing added sugars in the foods and beverages they manufacture. It will be important for the Food and Drug Administration to require clear added-sugar labels so the public can act on this guidance,” said UCS. And Michael Jacobson of the consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest said the added-sugar recommendation was “a major step forward,” said Politico. Author and nutrition professor Marion Nestle said at her Food Politics blog, “Added sugars is a euphemism for sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages” and the government should say outright, “Cut down on sugary drinks.”