In a major move, the National Institute of Nutrition of India (NIN), which falls under the purview of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has proposed revised dietary guidelines to address the high sugar content of packaged foods and beverages. This marks a first for the country and replaces the previous focus on calorie thresholds, which have been in place for 13 years.
The new guidelines, curated by a committee of experts at NIN, set specific limits on sugar content. For solid foods, the proposed threshold is around 5% of total energy intake from added sugar, with a maximum of 10% from all sugars (including naturally occurring). For drinks, the limit is stricter, with a proposed threshold of 10% of energy intake from added sugar and a maximum of 30% from total sugars (including natural sugars in fruit juices and milk).
This shift in focus from calories to sugar content reflects growing concerns about the negative health impacts of excessive sugar consumption. The proposed guidelines, if implemented, could significantly affect the sugar content of packaged products available in India.
According to Dr Babina NM, Medical Director, Jindal Naturecure Institute, over time, if implemented, this change could contribute to people consuming less sugar in general and promote better eating practices. She added that the move also raises people’s awareness of how much sugar is in food, encouraging them to carefully study labels and make educated decisions.
The sugars in packaged foods can be bad for your health in many ways (Source: Freepik)
The sugar content of packaged foods varies widely. Some items, such as candy and soft drinks, can be extremely high in added sugar. Dr. Babina gave an example, saying, “For example, about 39 grams, or about 10 teaspoons, of sugar can be found in a can of soda.”
Significant amounts of hidden sugars can be found in products such as breads, sauces and snacks – a category of goods not usually associated with sweetness, she added.
These hidden sugars contribute to overall sugar consumption without consumers being fully aware of it. This change may help improve long-term health outcomes by reducing sugar cravings and overconsumption of sugar-filled foods.
How do sugars in packaged foods affect our health?
The sugars in packaged foods can be harmful to your health in many ways, Dr Babina said. Increased sugar intake has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and dental problems.
“Excessive sugar consumption can also worsen metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of liver disease and stroke. High-sugar diets can also result in energy spikes and crashes, which can affect mood and overall energy levels,” she said in an interaction with Indianexpress.com.
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