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Maximum refined sugar intake should be 'no more than six teaspoons a day', say Spanish nutritionists
25/01/2017
NUTRITION experts in Spain recommend adults should eat no more than 25 grams of sugar a day – the equivalent to six pairs of cubes in packets which come with coffee or tea, or around six teaspoons.
This should take into account added sugar in all food, not just granulated sugar or sweets, says the Spanish Society for Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).
Refined sugar, as opposed to complex carbohydrates, should not make up more than 5% of the daily calorie intake, but there is 'nothing wrong' with having one sugary soft drink at the weekend 'as long as this does not become a habit', the SEEN says.
The society recommends checking ingredients of all food and paying attention to the quantity of carbohydrates – not the overall figure, but the part which says 'of which sugars' – or, on Spanish packaging, de los cuales azúcares.
According to the SEEN, 'many' Spaniards do not understand nutrition content labels on food, and greater education is needed.
These recommendations relate to combating obesity – and a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015 cites a direct relationship between reduction of refined carbohydrates and weight loss – but has not referred to the health benefits of cutting sugar intake for those people who are already at a normal weight.
Obesity, the SEEN recalls, is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, cardiovascular conditions and liver disease.
The society applauds the government's recent move to increase taxes on sugary drinks, but warns it is also 'discriminatory', since high-sugar soft drinks are among the range of unhealthy processed food and beverages more likely to be consumed by low-income families.
As a deterrent, higher taxes on fizzy drinks should come with a concerted effort to educate the public, says the SEEN.
Also, raising taxes on unhealthy produce should come directly in line with reducing the price of fruit and vegetables, among other more nutritious options, since households who cannot afford the high costs of these items are more likely to turn to cheaper options which are less beneficial.
“It's impossible to curb the problem of obesity and chronic illnesses arising therefrom just from a one-sided strategy, that of trying to limit consumption of refined sugar and saturated fat,” the SEEN criticises.
“This has to be done from a multi-sector point of view, by making healthy food more affordable.”
Laws regulating consumption should also target food companies and TV channels, with a limit on advertising, plus a greater effort on the part of town councils to build bicycle lanes, parks, sports centres and other infrastructure conducive to physical activity, the SEEN says.
Additionally, schools should include nutrition as part of their core curriculum, serve only healthy food in their lunch canteens, and eliminate vending machines selling high-fat and high-sugar snacks, the society concludes.
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NUTRITION experts in Spain recommend adults should eat no more than 25 grams of sugar a day – the equivalent to six pairs of cubes in packets which come with coffee or tea, or around six teaspoons.
This should take into account added sugar in all food, not just granulated sugar or sweets, says the Spanish Society for Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).
Refined sugar, as opposed to complex carbohydrates, should not make up more than 5% of the daily calorie intake, but there is 'nothing wrong' with having one sugary soft drink at the weekend 'as long as this does not become a habit', the SEEN says.
The society recommends checking ingredients of all food and paying attention to the quantity of carbohydrates – not the overall figure, but the part which says 'of which sugars' – or, on Spanish packaging, de los cuales azúcares.
According to the SEEN, 'many' Spaniards do not understand nutrition content labels on food, and greater education is needed.
These recommendations relate to combating obesity – and a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015 cites a direct relationship between reduction of refined carbohydrates and weight loss – but has not referred to the health benefits of cutting sugar intake for those people who are already at a normal weight.
Obesity, the SEEN recalls, is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, cardiovascular conditions and liver disease.
The society applauds the government's recent move to increase taxes on sugary drinks, but warns it is also 'discriminatory', since high-sugar soft drinks are among the range of unhealthy processed food and beverages more likely to be consumed by low-income families.
As a deterrent, higher taxes on fizzy drinks should come with a concerted effort to educate the public, says the SEEN.
Also, raising taxes on unhealthy produce should come directly in line with reducing the price of fruit and vegetables, among other more nutritious options, since households who cannot afford the high costs of these items are more likely to turn to cheaper options which are less beneficial.
“It's impossible to curb the problem of obesity and chronic illnesses arising therefrom just from a one-sided strategy, that of trying to limit consumption of refined sugar and saturated fat,” the SEEN criticises.
“This has to be done from a multi-sector point of view, by making healthy food more affordable.”
Laws regulating consumption should also target food companies and TV channels, with a limit on advertising, plus a greater effort on the part of town councils to build bicycle lanes, parks, sports centres and other infrastructure conducive to physical activity, the SEEN says.
Additionally, schools should include nutrition as part of their core curriculum, serve only healthy food in their lunch canteens, and eliminate vending machines selling high-fat and high-sugar snacks, the society concludes.
Related Topics
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