scholarly journals Free and Added Sugar Consumption and Adherence to Guidelines: The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2014/15–2015/16)

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birdem Amoutzopoulos ◽  
Toni Steer ◽  
Caireen Roberts ◽  
David Collins ◽  
Polly Page

Monitoring dietary intake of sugars in the population’s diet has great importance in evaluating the efficiency of national sugar reduction programmes. The study objective was to provide a comprehensive assessment of dietary sources of added and free sugars to assess adherence to public health recommendations in the UK population and to consider the impact of different sugar definitions on monitoring. The terms “added sugar” and “free sugar” are different sugar definitions which include different sugar components and may result in different sugar intakes depending on the definition. Dietary intake of added sugars, free sugars and seven individual sugar components (sugar from table sugar; other sugars; honey; fruit juice; fruit puree; dried fruit; and stewed fruit) of 2138 males and females (1.5–64 years) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2014–2016, collected using a 4 day estimated food diary, were studied. Added and free sugar intake accounted for 7% to 13% of total energy intake respectively. Major sources of free sugar intake were “cereals and cereal products”, “non-alcoholic beverages”, and “sugars, preserves, confectionery”. Differences between added and free sugar intake were significantly large, and thus use of free sugar versus added sugar definitions need careful consideration for standardised monitoring of sugar intake in relation to public health.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Julie Young ◽  
Sophie Scott ◽  
Lindsey Clark ◽  
John K Lodge

Abstract Recommendations for free sugar intake in the UK should be no more than 5% of total energy due to increased health risks associated with overconsumption. It was therefore of interest to examine free sugar intakes and associations with health parameters in the UK population. The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme (2008-2017) was used for this study. Dietary intake, anthropometrical measurements and clinical biomarker data collated from 5121 adult respondents aged 19-64 years, were statistically analysed. Compared to the average total carbohydrate intake (48% of energy), free sugars comprised 12.5%, with sucrose 9% and fructose 3.5%. Intakes of these sugars, apart from fructose, were significantly different over collection year (P<0.001), and significantly higher in males (P<0.001). Comparing those consuming above or below the UK recommendations for free sugars (5% energy) significant differences were found for BMI (P<0.001), triglyceride (P<0.001), HDL (P=0.006) and homocysteine concentrations (P=0.028), and significant gender differences were observed (e.g lower blood pressure in females). Regression analysis demonstrated that free sugar intake could predict plasma triglycerides, HDL and homocysteine concentrations (P<0.0001), consistent with the link between these parameters and cardiovascular disease. We also found selected unhealthy food choices (using the UK Eatwell Guide) to be significantly higher in those that consumed above the recommendations (P<0.0001) and were predictors of free sugar intakes (P<0.0001). We have shown that adult free sugar intakes in the UK population are associated with certain negative health parameters that support the necessary reduction in free sugar intakes for the UK population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther González-Padilla ◽  
Joana A. Dias ◽  
Stina Ramne ◽  
Kjell Olsson ◽  
Cecilia Nälsén ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The evidence on the impact of high sugar consumption on micronutrient dilution does not yet allow for the establishment of clear thresholds of consumption. To establish upper and lower limit intake thresholds for added sugar, more studies from different countries and multiple populations are needed. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the intakes of added sugar and various micronutrients among the adult Swedish population across almost two decades. Methods The data were obtained from the samples from two populations: 1) Riksmaten Adults, a national dietary survey (n = 1797, 44% male, aged 18–80 years, data collection from 2010 to 11) that assessed dietary intake using a 4-day web-based food diary; and 2) the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a population-based cohort study (n = 12,238, 45% male, aged 45–68 years, data collection from 1991 to 1994) that assessed dietary intake via a combination of a 7-day food diary, a food frequency questionnaire and an interview. The mean daily intake of nine micronutrients (calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc), adjusted for age, sex, BMI and energy intake, were examined across six added-sugar-intake groups (< 5%E, 5–7.5%E, 7.5–10%E, 10–15%E, 15–20%E, and >  20%E). Results We observed significant inverse associations between the intake of added sugar and the intake of all micronutrients in both populations. The associations were linear; however, we could not determine the threshold of added sugar intake beyond which the micronutrient intake was clearly compromised. Conclusions These findings suggest that in two Swedish populations the higher the intake of added sugar in the diet, the more likely it is that the intake of micronutrients will be compromised, in two Swedish populations. However, although the trends are significant and consistent with those obtained in other studies on the subject, future studies are needed in order to build the necessary scientific knowledge to establish a threshold of added sugar intake based on micronutrient dilution.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kibblewhite ◽  
A Nettleton ◽  
R McLean ◽  
J Haszard ◽  
E Fleming ◽  
...  

© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The reduction of free or added sugar intake (sugars added to food and drinks as a sweetener) is almost universally recommended to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases and dental caries. The World Health Organisation recommends intakes of free sugars of less than 10% of energy intake. However, estimating and monitoring intakes at the population level is challenging because free sugars cannot be analytically distinguished from naturally occurring sugars and most national food composition databases do not include data on free or added sugars. We developed free and added sugar estimates for the New Zealand (NZ) food composition database (FOODfiles 2010) by adapting a method developed for Australia. We reanalyzed the 24 h recall dietary data collected for 4721 adults aged 15 years and over participating in the nationally representative 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey to estimate free and added sugar intakes. The median estimated intake of free and added sugars was 57 and 49 g/day respectively and 42% of adults consumed less than 10% of their energy intake from free sugars. This approach provides more direct estimates of the free and added sugar contents of New Zealand foods than previously available and will enable monitoring of adherence to free sugar intake guidelines in future.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kibblewhite ◽  
A Nettleton ◽  
R McLean ◽  
J Haszard ◽  
E Fleming ◽  
...  

© 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The reduction of free or added sugar intake (sugars added to food and drinks as a sweetener) is almost universally recommended to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases and dental caries. The World Health Organisation recommends intakes of free sugars of less than 10% of energy intake. However, estimating and monitoring intakes at the population level is challenging because free sugars cannot be analytically distinguished from naturally occurring sugars and most national food composition databases do not include data on free or added sugars. We developed free and added sugar estimates for the New Zealand (NZ) food composition database (FOODfiles 2010) by adapting a method developed for Australia. We reanalyzed the 24 h recall dietary data collected for 4721 adults aged 15 years and over participating in the nationally representative 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey to estimate free and added sugar intakes. The median estimated intake of free and added sugars was 57 and 49 g/day respectively and 42% of adults consumed less than 10% of their energy intake from free sugars. This approach provides more direct estimates of the free and added sugar contents of New Zealand foods than previously available and will enable monitoring of adherence to free sugar intake guidelines in future.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094
Author(s):  
María Correa-Rodríguez ◽  
Gabriela Pocovi-Gerardino ◽  
José-Luis Callejas-Rubio ◽  
Raquel Ríos Fernández ◽  
María Martín-Amada ◽  
...  

Diet has been closely associated with inflammatory autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Importantly, the consumption of dietary sugars has been positively linked to elevated levels of some inflammation markers, but the potential role of their consumption on the prognosis of autoimmune diseases has not yet been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the dietary intake of free sugars and clinical parameters and cardiovascular (CVD) risk markers in patients with SLE. A cross-sectional study including a total of 193 patients with SLE (aged 48.25 ± 12.54 years) was conducted. The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) and the SDI Damage Index were used to asses disease activity and disease-related damage, respectively. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; mg/dL), homocysteine (Hcy; µmol/L), anti-double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA) (IU/mL), complement C3 (mg/dL), and complement C4 (mg/dL), among other biochemical markers, were measured. The main factors we considered as risk factors for CVD were obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and blood lipids. The dietary-intrinsic sugar and added-sugar content participants consumed were obtained via a 24-h patient diary. Significant differences were observed in dietary sugar intake between patients with active and inactive SLE (in grams: 28.31 ± 24.43 vs. 38.71 ± 28.87; p = 0.035) and free sugar intake (as a percentage: 6.36 ± 4.82 vs. 8.60 ± 5.51; p = 0.020). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between free sugars intake (by gram or percentage) and the number of complications (β (95% CI) = 0.009 (0.001, 0.0018), p = 0.033)); (β (95% CI) = 0.046 (0.008, 0.084), p = 0.018)), and SLEDAI (β (95% CI) = 0.017 (0.001, 0.034), p = 0.043)); (β (95% CI) = 0.086 (0.011, 0.161), p = 0.024)) after adjusting for covariates. Free sugars (g and %) were also associated with the presence of dyslipidaemia (β (95% CI) = −0.003 (−0.005, 0.000), p = 0.024)) and (β (95% CI) = −0.015 (−0.028, −0.002), p = 0.021)). Our findings suggest that a higher consumption of free sugars might negatively impact the activity and complications of SLE. However, future longitudinal research on SLE patients, including dietary intervention trials, are necessary to corroborate these preliminary data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Neha Jain ◽  
Norton Holschuh ◽  
Jessica Smith

Abstract Little is known on the association between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary intake in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the present study was to examine associations between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary outcomes in children (n 1912, age 9⋅6 ± 0⋅1 years, 51 % boys) and adults (n 2064, age 48⋅7 ± 0⋅5 years, 49 % men) using cross-sectional data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme year 7 to year 9 (2014/15–2016/17). The frequency of yogurt consumption was determined by the number of days with yogurt reported in 4-d food diaries and participants were classified as non-eaters, occasional eaters (1–2 d of consumption) or regular eaters (3–4 d of consumption). Dietary outcomes were estimated from food diaries. The frequency of yogurt consumption was positively associated with intake of key vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iodine in both children and adults (all P < 0⋅0018), as well as higher intake of total dairy (P < 0⋅0001 for both children and adults). Regular yogurt eaters were more likely to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations for vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iodine (all P < 0⋅001). Diet quality was positively associated with frequency of yogurt consumption in children (P = 0⋅045) and adults (P < 0⋅001). No association between yogurt consumption and free sugar intake was found (P = 0⋅49 for children and P = 0⋅29 for adults). The study suggests that frequency of yogurt consumption is associated with better dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the UK.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi T. Lai ◽  
Jayne Hutchinson ◽  
Charlotte E. L. Evans

The revised guidelines from the Department of Health (DoH) in the UK state that mean population intakes of free sugars should be below 5% of the total energy (TE) consumption of the British population. However, very few studies have assessed the impact of this recommendation on diet quality in the UK. We explored the dietary patterns and intakes of micronutrients of British adolescents with low intakes of non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) (similar to free sugars but not equal, with slight differences in the categorisation of fruit sugars from dried, stewed or canned fruit and smoothies), using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme, years 1–8 (NDNS RP). The sample included 2587 adolescents aged 11–18 years. Four percent (112) of adolescents reported consuming 5% or lower NMES as a proportion of TE. The odds of being categorised as a low-sugar consumer in adolescents (≤5% TE from NMES) were significantly lower with higher intakes of sweetened drinks, fruit juice, cakes, biscuits, sugar and sweet spreads, chocolate confectionery and sugar confectionery, and significantly higher with higher intakes of pasta and rice, wholemeal and brown bread, and fish. Across the five categories of NMES intakes, micronutrient intakes were lowest for those consuming either ≤5% TE or more than 20% TE from NMES, and optimal for those consuming between 10–15% of energy from NMES. These findings confirm the difficulties of meeting the free sugars recommended intake for adolescents. Care needs to be taken to ensure that an adequate consumption of micronutrients is achieved in those adhering to the revised guidelines on free sugars.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linia Patel ◽  
Gianfranco Alicandro ◽  
Carlo La Vecchia

Low-calorie beverages (LCBs) are promoted as healthy alternatives to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); however, their effects on diet quality and cardiometabolic profile are debatable. This study aimed to verify the association between LCB consumption, diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors in British adults. Data analysis from 5521 subjects aged 16 and older who participated in two waves of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2012 and 2013–2014) was carried out. Compared with SSB consumption, LCB consumption was associated with lower energy (mean difference: −173 kcal, 95% confidence interval, CI: −212; −133) and free sugar intake (−5.6% of energy intake, 95% CI: −6.1; −5.1), while intake of other nutrients was not significantly different across groups. The % difference in sugar intake was more pronounced among the young (16–24 years) (−7.3 of energy intake, 95% CI: −8.6; −5.9). The odds of not exceeding the UK-recommended free sugar intake were remarkably higher in the LCB as compared to the SSB group (OR: 9.4, 95% CI: 6.5–13.6). No significant differences were observed in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL or triglycerides. Our findings suggest that LCBs are associated with lower free sugar intake without affecting the intake of other macronutrients or negatively impacting cardiometabolic risk factors.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeline Chatelan ◽  
Pierre Gaillard ◽  
Maaike Kruseman ◽  
Amelie Keller

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reducing free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake (TEI) due to their potential implications in weight gain and dental caries. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the intake of total, added, and free sugars, (2) define the main sugar sources, and (3) evaluate the adherence to sugar guidelines. The first national nutrition survey 2014–2015 included non-institutional adults aged 18–75 years. Diet was assessed with two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls in 2057 participants. Added and free sugar content was systematically estimated by two dietitians using available information from the manufacturer and/or standard recipe/composition. Usual daily intake distributions were modeled and weighted for sampling design, non-response, weekdays, and seasons. Total, added, and free sugar intake was respectively 107 g (±44), 53 g (±36), and 65 g (±40), representing 19%, 9%, and 11% of TEI. Sugar consumption was higher among younger adults and lower among people living in the Italian-speaking region. The three main food sources of free sugars were: (1) sweet products (47% of total free sugars), in particular sweet spreads (15%) and cakes/cookies (11%); (2) beverages (29%), mainly fruit and vegetable juices (13%), and sugar-sweetened beverages (12%, but 20% in younger adults); and (3) dairy products (9%), with yogurt accounting for 6%. Respectively, 44% of women and 45% of men had free sugar intake below 10% of TEI. Of people aged between 18–29, 30–64, and 65–75 years, 36%, 45%, and 53% had free sugar intake below 10% of TEI, respectively. The prevalence of Swiss people with free sugar intake that was <5% of the TEI was 8%. Adherence to the WHO recommendations guidelines was generally low in Switzerland, particularly among young adults, and in line with other high-income countries.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e027546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Rauber ◽  
Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽  
Euridice Martinez Steele ◽  
Leandro F M de Rezende ◽  
Christopher Millett ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe dietary sources of free sugars in different age groups of the UK population considering food groups classified according to the NOVA system and to estimate the proportion of excessive free sugars that could potentially be avoided by reducing consumption of their main sources.Design and settingCross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008–2014) were analysed. Food items collected using a 4-day food diary were classified according to the NOVA system.Participants9364 individuals aged 1.5 years and above.Main outcome measuresAverage dietary content of free sugars and proportion of individuals consuming more than 10% of total energy from free sugars.Data analysisPoisson regression was used to estimate the associations between each of the NOVA food group and intake of free sugars. We estimated the per cent reduction in prevalence of excessive free sugar intake from eliminating ultra-processed foods and table sugar. Analyses were stratified by age group and adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, survey year, region and equivalised household income (sterling pounds).ResultsUltra-processed foods account for 56.8% of total energy intake and 64.7% of total free sugars in the UK diet. Free sugars represent 12.4% of total energy intake, and 61.3% of the sample exceeded the recommended limit of 10% energy from free sugars. This percentage was higher among children (74.9%) and adolescents (82.9%). Prevalence of excessive free sugar intake increased linearly across quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption for all age groups, except among the elderly. Eliminating ultra-processed foods could potentially reduce the prevalence of excessive free sugar intake by 47%.ConclusionOur findings suggest that actions to reduce the ultra-processed food consumption generally rich in free sugars could lead to substantial public health benefits.


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