News & Views - Date: October 2015

Statement on Robert Lustig Guardian Opinion Piece

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Sugar Nutrition UK Statement on Robert Lustig Opinion Piece - The science is in: the case for a sugar tax is overwhelming

Current scientific evidence shows us a range of diet and lifestyle factors contribute to lifestyle diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes not one ingredient in isolation. The findings of numerous expert scientific bodies1, 2 have concluded that sugar in itself has no specific causal role in obesity. It is notable that the recent Scientific Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Report on Carbohydrates and Health which recommended reducing sugars intake found there is “insufficient evidence” to draw a conclusion about sugar’s relationship to weight gain or body mass3. Eating sugars as part of a healthy balanced diet does not cause obesity or type 2 diabetes.

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Post-exercise appetite was affected by fructose content but not glycemic index of pre-exercise meals

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Sun, Feng-Hua; Heung-Sang Wong, Stephen; Liu, Zhi-Gang (2016) Appetite Volume 96, Pages 481–486

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of glycaemic index (GI) and fructose content in pre-exercise breakfast meals on appetite after 1 hour of moderate-intensity exercise.

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A review of sugar consumption from nationally representative dietary surveys across the world

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Newens, K. J. and Walton, J (2015) J Hum Nutr Diet. doi:10.1111/jhn.12338

OBJECTIVE: To review and collate available data on worldwide sugars consumption using the latest nationally representative dietary surveys in each country. To review data according to different population groups surveyed.

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Statement on the funding of independent scientific research

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Sugar Nutrition UK statement on The Times investigation into the funding of independent scientific research on health and nutrition

The various articles in the Times, particularly the Leader article ‘Clear as Coke’ gives an inaccurate impression of the UK Sugar Bureau’s (latterly re-named Sugar Nutrition UK) activities in relation to its support of independent scientific research. It also makes a misleading statement that we carried out “intensive lobbying” against a tax on sugar. In addition, the articles infer that the UK Sugar Bureau was part funded by Coca-Cola which is factually incorrect.

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How food fortification could help meet population requirements for Vitamin D and reduce deficiency

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Professor Mairead Kiely PhD R Nutr
Vitamin D Research Group, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland

Uniquely, vitamin D has simultaneously captured the attention of the public, the scientific and medical communities, regulatory agencies and the food industry. While there are many controversies in relation to vitamin D requirements and its impact on human health, it is generally agreed that prevention of vitamin D deficiency is a public health priority, for prevention of nutritional rickets and osteomalacia, which have severe and lasting consequences for bone growth and skeletal integrity throughout life. While data showing associations between vitamin D and non-skeletal disorders are abundant, the evidence base to support its role in prevention of non-bone related disorders is currently less robust. Nonetheless, public health authorities are now aware of the importance of preventing vitamin D deficiency, which was until recently an unacknowledged health problem. More “How food fortification could help meet population requirements for Vitamin D and reduce deficiency” >

Macronutrients and Satiety for Weight Loss

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Dr Alexandra Johnstone - Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen

Humans have a plentiful supply of appealing, cheap, energy dense foods and beverages that may promote overconsumption and it is a challenge for health professionals and government agencies alike to know the best methods to encourage individuals to make sensible food choices to achieve body weight control. With the ever-increasing obesity problem comes the search for effective dietary strategies to prevent weight gain, promote weight loss and to maintain a lower body weight. More “Macronutrients and Satiety for Weight Loss” >

The Future of Personalised Nutrition

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Dr Katherine Livingstone - Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University

Poor diet and physical inactivity remain the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease1. Improving these modifiable risk factors could prevent the majority of cardiovascular diseases2, thus highlighting the importance of changing diet and lifestyle factors to improve public health. However, with the global burden of non-communicable diseases continuing to rise, alternative strategies to population-level dietary guidelines may be required to facilitate greater changes in dietary behaviours. Personalised nutrition (PN), where advice on how to improve diet is tailored to the individual, may offer an effective alternative. More “The Future of Personalised Nutrition” >