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Sugar

Sugar forms a major element in confectionery and in desserts. Cooks use it as a food preservative as well as for sweetening.
Originally a luxury, sugar eventually became sufficiently cheap and common to influence standard cuisine, but it can cause problems…

Tooth decay
Tooth decay can damage teeth in many ways. Sugar is metabolized by bacteria in the mouth into various acids. When the pH at the surface of a tooth drops below 5.5, tooth enamel is dissolved. This results in decay of the tooth.

Obesity
Obesity can be attributed to a number of factors including:

• an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients; and

• decreased physical activity.

United Nations advice
In 2003, four United Nations agencies – including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – commissioned a report compiled by a panel of 30 international experts. The panel stated that the total of free sugars (all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods by manufacturers, cooks or consumers, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices) should not account for more than 10% of the energy-intake of a healthy diet, while carbohydrates in total should represent between 55% and 75% of the energy-intake.

You can find lots of helpful, practical tips on cutting down your sugar intake on another FrankandHonest.com page – click here.

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