The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), an independent body of nutritionists, has advised the government to halve the recommended intake of free sugars.

The recommendation was made in their latest report Carbohydrates and Health, to address the rise of obesity and diabetes and cut the risk of tooth decay. Free sugars are those added to food, for example glucose or those naturally present in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices.

In the report the experts recommend that free sugars should account for no more than 5% daily dietary intake and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as fizzy drinks, soft drinks and squash, should be minimised by both children and adults.

Professor Ian Macdonald, chair of the SACN Carbohydrates and Health working group, said: “The evidence is stark– too much sugar is harmful to health and we all need to cut back. The clear and consistent link between a high-sugar diet and conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes is the wake-up call we need to rethink our diet.”

The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency asked SACN to examine the latest research on the links between consumption of carbohydates, sugars, fibre and starch, and a range of health outcomes. Such as bowel health, heart disease, diabetes and took decay. This was to ensure that the government’s position on consumption was up to date.