The confusing world of dietary sugars: definitions, intakes, food sources and international dietary recommendations. 2012

Jennifer Hess, and Marie E Latulippe, and Keith Ayoob, and Joanne Slavin
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. jennifer.r.hess@gmail.com

Government and health organizations worldwide have issued dietary guidelines for sugars. These guidelines vary considerably in the recommended or suggested intakes and the types of sugars specified. Despite access to the same published literature, recommendations vary greatly and create confusion for nutrition practitioners who offer dietary guidance. Some of the confusion in this field is linked to differences in definitions for sugar and methods to measure total sugars. Additionally, although dietary guidance typically recommends foods high in sugar, fruits and dairy products, other advice suggests strict limits on intake of "added sugar". Added sugar cannot be analytically determined and must be calculated so nutrient databases generally contain values for total sugar and do not differentiate between sugars naturally occurring in foods and those added in processing. This review defines sugars, provides the sugar content of major food sources, summarizes health concerns about dietary sugars, and compiles dietary guidelines for sugars issued by various organizations. Dietary recommendations from various health organizations are based on different means of assessment, and thus vary considerably. In general, the use of added sugars is cautioned, especially when it contributes to calories in excess of needs for an individual.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009626 Terminology as Topic Works about the terms, expressions, designations, or symbols used in a particular science, discipline, or specialized subject area. Etymology,Nomenclature as Topic,Etymologies
D004040 Dietary Carbohydrates Carbohydrates present in food comprising digestible sugars and starches and indigestible cellulose and other dietary fibers. The former are the major source of energy. The sugars are in beet and cane sugar, fruits, honey, sweet corn, corn syrup, milk and milk products, etc.; the starches are in cereal grains, legumes (FABACEAE), tubers, etc. (From Claudio & Lagua, Nutrition and Diet Therapy Dictionary, 3d ed, p32, p277) Carbohydrates, Dietary,Carbohydrate, Dietary,Dietary Carbohydrate
D004046 Dietetics The application of nutritional principles to regulation of the diet and feeding persons or groups of persons.
D006293 Health Promotion Encouraging consumer behaviors most likely to optimize health potentials (physical and psychosocial) through health information, preventive programs, and access to medical care. Health Campaigns,Promotion of Health,Wellness Programs,Promotional Items,Campaign, Health,Campaigns, Health,Health Campaign,Health Promotions,Item, Promotional,Items, Promotional,Program, Wellness,Programs, Wellness,Promotion, Health,Promotional Item,Promotions, Health,Wellness Program
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017408 Guidelines as Topic Works about a systematic statement of policy rules or principles. Guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by convening expert panels. For guidelines in the field of health care and clinical medicine, PRACTICE GUIDELINES AS TOPIC is available. Guidelines as Topics
D055317 Evidence-Based Practice A way of providing health care that is guided by a thoughtful integration of the best available scientific knowledge with clinical expertise. This approach allows the practitioner to critically assess research data, clinical guidelines, and other information resources in order to correctly identify the clinical problem, apply the most high-quality intervention, and re-evaluate the outcome for future improvement. Evidence-Based Health Care,Evidence Based Health Care Management,Evidence Based Healthcare Management,Evidence Based Management, Health Care,Evidence Based Management, Healthcare,Evidence-Based Healthcare,Evidence Based Health Care,Evidence Based Healthcare,Evidence Based Practice,Evidence-Based Health Cares,Evidence-Based Healthcares,Health Care, Evidence-Based,Health Cares, Evidence-Based,Healthcare, Evidence-Based,Healthcares, Evidence-Based
D018673 Nutrition Policy Guidelines and objectives pertaining to food supply and nutrition including recommendations for healthy diet. Food Policy,Dietary Guidelines,Nutrition Guidelines,Dietary Guideline,Food Policies,Guideline, Dietary,Guideline, Nutrition,Guidelines, Dietary,Guidelines, Nutrition,Nutrition Guideline,Nutrition Policies,Policies, Food,Policies, Nutrition,Policy, Food,Policy, Nutrition
D018977 Micronutrients Essential dietary elements or organic compounds that are required in only small quantities for normal physiologic processes to occur. Micronutrient

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