Guidelines on the amount of sugars in the diet need a ‘radical rethink’ according to new research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and UCL.
The study argues that sugars should make up no more than 3% of the total energy intake in order to reduce tooth decay. Current guidelines suggest the maximum total energy intake from free sugars should be 10%, with 5% as a ‘target’.
Analysing public health records from countries across the world, it found that the incidence of tooth decay increased ‘dramatically’ with any sugar consumption above 0% energy.
Co-author Professor Philip James, said: ‘Our top priority is not to allow the idea of a magic single bullet to solve the problem to be developed. A fundamental aspect of public health planning is to develop society wide measures which impact on the health of the whole community.
‘There now needs to be an explicit revision of population dietary goals as it relates to every aspect of government policy.’
Professor James also called for the removal of vending machines offering confectionary and sugary drinks in areas controlled or supported financially by local or central government.