The Heart and Stroke Foundation is calling for action from Canadians and governments to limit sugar consumption which is linked to major health problems.
Canadians consume more than 13 per cent of their total calorie intake from sugars added to their foods, according to estimates. Beverages are the single greatest contributors of sugar, says the foundation, with one can providing 10 teaspoons of sugar. Canadians eat out a lot and foods prepared outside the home often are high in sugar, fat and salt content. Natural sugar in fruit and vegetables are not counted and are not considered to be part of the problem.
People should limit their intake to not more than 10 per cent, or ideally less than five per cent of total calorie intake per day, recommends the foundation. This is in line with recent recommendations from the World Health Organization.
The federal government should set limits on how much sugar can be added to manufactured food products, says the foundation, and it should do more to educate the population about the risks associated with overconsumption.
Excess sugar consumption is linked to heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cancer and cavities. Rates of obesity and diabetes are sky rocketing in Canada, and heart disease and stroke are two of the three leading causes of death.
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