Research finds 'shockingly high and unnecessary' sugar levels in fizzy drinks
Health officials should set targets for the reduction of sugar in fizzy drinks, experts have said after new research highlighted the “shockingly high and unnecessary” levels of sugar in cans of fizzy drinks.
The study, conducted by UK group Action on Sugar, found “huge variations” in the sugar content for very similar products.
Analysis on 232 sugar-sweetened drinks from leading UK supermarkets found that three quarters contained more sugar per can than is recommended for a whole day, a spokesman said.
Some 79% of the fizzy drinks examined contain six or more teaspoons of sugar per can – more than the World Health Organisation’s recommended maximum daily limit for all sugar consumption, he said, adding people were drinking sugar “by the spoonful” and the first targets should be set for the levels of sugar in fizzy drinks.
Action on Sugar , which is comprised of group of health experts, said British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt should set targets to reduce sugar levels in all food and drink products to try to stem the obesity epidemic that is sweeping Britain.
Professor Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Wolfson Institute, Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Action on Sugar, said: “Added sugars are completely unnecessary in our diets and is strongly linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as to dental caries – which remains a major problem for children and adults.
“We urge the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to set incremental targets for sugar reduction now – and to start with these sugary drinks. Replacing sugar with sweeteners is not the answer: we need to reduce overall sweetness so people’s tastes can adjust to having less sweet drinks.
“A similar approach has successfully reduced salt intake; people are consuming 15% less salt than they were 10 years ago, and now prefer less salty foods. This policy is estimated to be saving 9,000 lives a year, plus healthcare savings of £1.5bn a year. It is now time to do the same for sugar.”
Kawther Hashem, nutritionist at Action on Sugar, said: “People are drinking spoonfuls of sugar in their fizzy drinks, even seemingly healthier options such as elderflower can be loaded with sugar.
“Look on the label for ’sugar per 100g’ and switch to a lower or no added sugar variety of your favourite drink, or even better, don’t drink them, they contain nothing of any nutritional value. Drink water and save money too.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “As a nation, we need to consume less sugar. We are working with the food and drinks industry to reduce the amount of sugar in products and make healthier alternatives available.
“And we are the first country in Europe to recommend simple voluntary front-of-pack labelling – this will make it easier for us to know how much sugar we are consuming.
“We eagerly await the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s independent report, to be published later this month, which will make recommendations around sugar consumption.”
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “Blinded by political zeal, these campaigners appear to have missed the 60% of soft drinks on the market which contain no added sugar.
“Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have also ignored the evidence that shows obesity arises from an imbalance of calories consumed and calories expended and is not caused by one particular ingredient.
“Soft drinks manufacturers have led the way over many years in providing an increasing range of low and no calorie drinks. It’s worth remembering that Government figures show soft drinks contribute just 3% of calories to the average diet.”
