Total and Free Sugars Consumption in a Slovenian Population Representative Sample

Zupanič, Nina; Hristov, Hristo; Gregorič, Matej; Blaznik, Urška; Delfar, Nataša; Seljak, Barbara Koroušić; Ding, Eric L.; Mis, Nataša Fidler; Pravst, Igor

doi:10.3390/nu12061729

Cited by 20 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The main difference between the latter groups is that free sugars, unlike added sugars, include sugars from fruit purees and juices. The relation between excessive intake and negative health outcomes is most consistent for free sugars, which negatively affects both the health of the oral cavity and risks for the development of chronic diseases [ 2 , 3 ]. In 2003 the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a recommendation that free sugar intake should not exceed 10% of total energy intake [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in the Use of Low and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Slovenia

Hafner

Hribar

Hristov

et al. 2021

Foods

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Excessive sugar intake and the associated increased obesity risk indicate that food reformulation is needed. Non-alcoholic beverages are often high in free sugars, making reformulation with low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) a common choice. Our knowledge of the use of LNCS in the European food supply is, however, very limited. This study aimed to evaluate the trends in the use of LNCS in different non-alcoholic beverages in the Slovenian food supply over the course of two years. We assessed which LNCS are most used and how the use of LNCS affects energy and sugar content. We analyzed labeling information of non-alcoholic beverages in selected grocery stores, covering the majority of the Slovenian food supply. Selected grocery stores were located in the capital city (Ljubljana). LNCS were present in 13.2% and 15.5% of non-alcoholic beverages in the years 2017 and 2019, respectively. The use of LNCS has significantly increased only in energy drinks (p < 0.01). The most used LNCS in 2017 were acesulfame K, aspartame, and cyclamates. In 2019 the use of sucralose increased significantly (p < 0.01) to become the second most used LNCS. Energy and sugar content varied between subcategories, which depended on the presence of added sugar and LNCS. Comparison between the energy value and the presence of the LNCS showed an almost 50% lower energy content of beverages containing both added sugar and LNCS (E2017 = 92.8 kJ; E2019 = 96.2 kJ per 100 mL), compared with beverages with only added sugar (E2017 = 161.8 kJ; E2019 = 159.0 kJ per 100 mL). In beverages sweetened only with LNCS, the difference was even more noticeable (E2017 = 22.3 kJ; E2019 = 14.3 kJ per 100 mL). Results show that the use of LNCS can help producers reduce the energy value of non-alcoholic beverages. Still, compared to other countries, the offer of such products in the Slovenian food supply is relatively low. However, due to possible public health risks of excessive use of LNCS, producers should be further encouraged for reformulation and production of less sweet products without LNCS, enabling consumers to adapt to less sweet taste of beverages. Further monitoring of LNCS in the food supply is therefore recommended, preferably also with consideration of sales data.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in the Use of Low and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Slovenia

Hafner

Hribar

Hristov

et al. 2021

Foods

Self Cite

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“…While high free sugar intake has been shown to be a public health issue globally, and in Slovenia [ 47 ], it should be mentioned that vending machines investigated in our study also contained a very high proportion of foods with high sugar content. Additionally, vending machines also supply many sugar-containing drinks (35 preprint).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Sweet, Fat and Salty: Snacks in Vending Machines in Health and Social Care Institutions in Slovenia

Rozman

Pravst

Kupirovič

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Vending machines in health and social care facilities are often the only possible choice for a quick snack for workers and visitors, in many cases providing unhealthy dietary choices. Our study aimed to analyse the variety and nutritional quality of foods available in vending machines placed in social and health care institution in Slovenia. The available snacks were quantitatively assessed, using traffic light profiling. The model used for nutrient profiling was that of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Vending machines in 188 institutions were surveyed, resulting in 5625 food-items consisting of 267 unique product labels. Sweet products dominate in vending machines offers (about 70%), while nuts and seeds (8.4%), yoghurts (2.1%), fruits (1.4%) and milk (0.3%) are present in a very small proportion or are not available at all. According to FSANZ, 88.5% of all displayed food items in vending machines can be considered as lower nutritional quality or less healthy products. The authors’ future activities will be focused on ensuring wider availability of healthy dietary choices and on including official guidelines in tender conditions for vending machines in health and social care institutions in Slovenia.

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“…Adolescents in this study consumed 7.6-7.9%E of added sugars and 8.4-8.8%E of free sugars. Children and adolescents in Portugal [54], Spain [55], Slovenia [56], Colombia, and Ecuador [43] had a mean intake of 9.5-11.6%E and 9.8-10.1%E, respectively. The intake in this study was lower than that in previous studies; in particular in the Netherlands [57], the UK [58], the US [42], Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela [43] (12.9-18.4%E and 17.6-20.7%E, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Added and Free Sugars Intake and Metabolic Biomarkers in Japanese Adolescents

2020

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Reduction in the intakes of added and free sugars is a recommendation to lower cardiometabolic risks. Sugars intake is considered lowest in the Asian-Pacific region, particularly Japan. We examined the association between sugars intake and cardiometabolic risks in Japanese adolescents. We included 3242 students (mean age, 13.56 years) living in Shunan City, Japan, between 2006 and 2010. Sugars intake was estimated using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Anthropometrics, serum lipids, fasting plasma glucose, and blood pressure were measured. Metabolic syndrome was determined by the combination of overweight and other risks. Intakes of added and free sugars were 7.6–7.9%E and 8.4–8.8%E of the total energy intake (%E), respectively. Categories based on quintiles of added or free sugars intakes were associated with fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and the z-score of metabolic syndrome (Ptrend ≤ 0.025). Other than the association between added sugars ≥10%E and high glucose (odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.19, p = 0.031), non-significantly high intakes of added or free sugars for risks occurred. Association was observed between added or free sugars intake and cardiometabolic biomarkers in Japanese adolescents, and added sugars intake <10%E could prevent glucose intolerance but not metabolic syndrome.

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Total and Free Sugars Consumption in a Slovenian Population Representative Sample

Cited by 20 publications

References 41 publications

Trends in the Use of Low and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Slovenia

Trends in the Use of Low and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Slovenia

Sweet, Fat and Salty: Snacks in Vending Machines in Health and Social Care Institutions in Slovenia

Added and Free Sugars Intake and Metabolic Biomarkers in Japanese Adolescents

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