New study calls for further reduction on sugar intake

New UK research has called for further reductions in the amount of sugar consumed by people worldwide in order to improve oral health.

The report from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has suggested that sugars in the diet should make up no more than three percent of total energy intake, in order to reduce the significant financial and social burdens of tooth decay.

Their research indicated that sugars are the only cause of tooth decay in children and adults, turning the condition into the most common non-communicable disease in the world. Incidence of tooth decay was much higher in adults than children, increasing dramatically with any sugar consumption above zero percent of energy.

As such, the study recommended a wide variety of measures, including a new emphasis of the health impact of sugary drinks and snacks, a reduction of the creation of sugar products and a possible tax on the commodity.

Study co-author Professor Philip James, honorary professor of nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "There now needs to be an explicit revision of population dietary goals as it relates to every aspect of government policy."

This comes after a recent US study indicated that sugar could possibly be a cause of high blood pressure, further underlining its negative health impact.