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Guidelines for sugar consumption in Europe: is a quantitative approach justified?
C H Ruxton1, F J Garceau, R C Cottrell
1The Sugar Bureau, London.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 19, 1999
Summary
A common European guideline for sugar consumption is not supported by current evidence. While sugar intake frequency correlates with dental caries, its link to obesity and micronutrient dilution is weak.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- European countries exhibit varying sugar consumption guidelines, with some recommending 10-25% of energy intake and others offering no quantitative limits.
- This disparity prompts an evaluation of the need for a unified European guideline on sugar intake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the scientific merit of a common European guideline for sugar consumption.
- To review existing literature on the associations between sugar intake and dental caries, obesity, and micronutrient dilution.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature.
- Analysis of associations between sugar consumption and health outcomes (dental caries, obesity, micronutrient intake).
Main Results:
- Higher sugar intake was linked to leanness, not obesity, and generally did not negatively impact micronutrient intake.
- A correlation was observed between the frequency of sugar consumption and dental caries incidence.
- In populations with adequate fluoride exposure, the statistical significance of the association between sugar intake and caries was minimal.
Conclusions:
- The current scientific evidence does not support a common quantitative recommendation for sugar intake across Europe.
- Dental caries prevention requires an integrated public health strategy, emphasizing the frequency of fermentable carbohydrate consumption alongside oral hygiene practices.
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