DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines - Eat For Health

No large studies have measured the long-term development of overweight and obesity specifically
related to consumption of sugars, although one retrospective cohort study reported that adults
who consumed less sugar-sweetened foods had less increase in skinfold fat and waist
circumference over a five-year period (Section 14.3, Evidence Report [14]; [192].
Type 2 diabetes: Insufficient studies were identified to develop an evidence statement for intake of
sugars and type 2 diabetes [576, 577]. However, more recent studies indicate that sugarsweetened
drinks may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes [578]. A recent metaanalysis
also supports an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome from
consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks [579].
Cardiovascular disease: There is no new evidence that sugars play a causal role in the
development or moderation of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Early studies suggested
that a reduction in dietary sucrose could lower elevated triglyceride levels, but it is likely that the
effects seen were the result of a reduction in energy intake and body weight [580].
3.3.2.2 Cancer
There is evidence suggesting that consumption of sucrose is not associated with the risk of cancer
(Grade C, Section 14.1 in Evidence Report [14]) [581-585]. The World Cancer Research Fund
found no convincing or probable evidence of increased risk of all cancers with the intake of sugars,
but some limited evidence of an association between a high intake of sugars and increased risk of
colorectal cancer [586]. The most recent WCRF statements urge caution with energy-dense foods
and sugar-sweetened drinks because of their association with obesity and its link with some
cancers [42].
3.3.2.3 Other conditions
Dental caries: The relationship between sucrose and dental caries was first documented more
than a century ago [587] and has been confirmed in numerous studies since [588]. Historically, the
prevalence of dental caries has increased when dietary patterns have changed to include more
added sugars and foods containing refined starches. New evidence supports past findings and
suggests that high or frequent consumption of added sugars, particularly for infants and young
children, is associated with increased risk of dental caries (Grade C, Section 14.2 in Evidence
Report [14]) [589-593]. The evidence also suggests that dental caries are related to sugarsweetened
drinks (Grade C, Section 15.4 in Evidence Report [14]) [589, 591].
Caries are associated with national per capita yearly sucrose consumption, with very little caries in
children at 10 kg/year (about 30 g/day) or less. A steep increase may occur from 15 kg/year
upwards [88].
DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 89