Sukkerkonsum

Sukkerkonsum refers to the intake of sugars in a population or by an individual, encompassing both added sugars added during processing or preparation and naturally occurring sugars found in foods such as fruit and dairy. It is commonly quantified as daily grams of sugar or as a percentage of total energy intake. Distinctions between total sugars and added sugars are important for public health assessment and policy.

Health effects associated with high sugar consumption include an increased risk of dental caries, weight gain and obesity, and broader metabolic risk factors linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Sugar-sweetened beverages are frequently identified as a major dietary source of excess calories. However, health outcomes depend on overall diet and energy balance, and sugar is one component within a complex nutritional context.

Global patterns of sukkerkonsum vary by region, culture, and socioeconomic status. Per-capita availability of sugar and the consumption of sugar-rich processed foods have risen with globalization, though many countries have introduced reformulation, taxation, labeling, and marketing restrictions that have moderated intake in some populations. In higher-income regions, added sugar intake remains substantial, while some low- and middle-income countries see rapid increases in sugar consumption through expanding food markets and beverages.

Public health responses commonly include guidelines to limit added sugars, with organisations such as the World Health Organization recommending that added sugars account for less than 10% of total energy intake (ideally below 5%). Policies often feature sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, front-of-pack labeling, marketing restrictions, reformulation of products, and school nutrition programs, complemented by public education and surveillance to monitor trends.