World Health Organisation Recommends To Cut Sugar Intake By Half

The New Year heralds many new resolutions with weight and health being one of the top motivations for most of the British population. However, achieving a healthier generation may require more than will power according to the World Health Organisation.

With sugars reportedly playing a key role in rising obesity and heart diseases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is considering to slash the recommended sugar intake by half.[1] This includes all sugars "added to foods by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices".

Many obesity and health experts say such a change cannot come quickly enough, given skyrocketing obesity rates across the globe.  The NHS estimates the average person in Britain now consumes 20 teaspoons of sugar a day. That's approximately 7,300 teaspoons in a year. [2]

There are now 1bn overweight adults worldwide, and 300m of them are clinically obese. In 2012 an NHS survey found that more than a quarter of all UK adults are obese, numbers that have tripled in 30 years.[3]

It is predicted that by 2030 there will be 26 million people in the UK who are obese - a rise of 73% from the current 15 million. If our sugar intake continues, up to 48% of men and 43% of women in the UK could be obese by 2030, adding an additional £1.9-2 billion per year in medical costs for obesity-related diseases.[4]

The National Health and Medical Research Council predicts that by 2024, 83% of men and 75% aged 20 years or more will be overweight or obese, with the council linking sugar as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic.[5]

Experts say that part of the problem is that sugary foods and drinks are now staples in many people's diet instead of an occasional treat, and the need to reverse this trend is greater than ever. [6]

Although sugar for personal consumption is slowly decreasing, more needs to be done in terms of processed food ingredients.

Sam Tew, Director of Natvia, Australia's leading natural sweetener, thinks that their products can be part of the solution. Natvia is already working with other food brands in Australia, where they are now able to provide consumers, healthier sweetener alternatives and food ingredients and is looking to do the same in the UK.

Tew says: "Our goal is to spread the health revolution and change as many people's lives as we can. Part of this programme is to work with more partners to develop healthier food alternatives that people buy as part of their daily groceries."

Tew adds: "We have been fortunate to have found some great partners who share our dream of a health revolution and we want more food manufacturers to join our mission in creating a healthier generation - and this starts with what you put in your ingredients."

Following the recent UK launch of Australian journalist and TV presenter Sarah Wilson's best-selling book I Quit Sugar, it is clear that attitudes to sugar are changing and consumers are looking for ways to change their diet and habits.

While the sugar debate is complex with many major lobbyists, the obesity rate projections are hard to ignore.

The message is clear to food manufacturers- decrease personal consumption, review your food ingredient and look at alternatives that are better for you.  Be part of the health solution.

To find out more about Natvia, visit www.natvia.co.uk