Dentists at University College London are calling for a 75% reduction in the daily consumption of sugar, to try and stop tooth decay from rising in the UK. Research has shown that sugar intake should be cut to around four teaspoons a day – which is the equivalent to less than half a can of coke or two digestive biscuits.
The study, which is published in the Public Health Nutrition Journal, showed that processed food and drink contain a large amount of sugar and the findings could increase demand for a new ‘sugar tax’ on fizzy drinks and other unhealthy foods. Co-author of the study, Professor Aubrey Sheiham, said that ‘Tooth decay is one of the most widespread health problems and it is thought around a third of UK children aged 12 have visible tooth decay.’
The report reveals that the recent suggestion made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that sugar consumption be reduced to 25g (six teaspoons) would not be enough to stop decay from developing. The dentists have suggested that a reduction of 74% will be needed – based on the current average intake of adults in the UK. Prof Sheiham’s co-author, obesity expert Professor Philip James, concluded that ‘Previous analyses based on children have misled public health analyses on sugars… The much greater adult burden of dental caries highlights the need for very low sugar intakes throughout life.’