Free sugars, the less the better.

WHO recently recommended that intake of free sugars should not exceed 10%, and preferably 5%, of total energy.¹ Free sugars include “monosaccharides…and disaccharides…added to food by the manufacturer, the cook or the consumer, as well as sugars that are naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates”.¹ The term excludes sugars in milk, intact fruits, and vegetables. The evidence-based recommendations relate intake of free sugars to dental caries and obesity. We highlight additional information that supports their relevance.