INTRINSIC, NON-MILK EXTRINSIC AND MILK SUGAR CONSUMPTION BY SCOTTISH ADULTS

Dietary reference Values for the different types of sugars have been set, partly based on the differences in cariogenicity between intrinsic and non-milk extrinsic sugar. However little information is available about the usual intake of these different sugars in population groups in the UK. Using a large Scottish data base, and food frequency questionnaire information on usual dietary intake, the values for mean daily intakes of intrinsic, non-milk extrinsic and milk sugars have been estimated by sex, age (range 25-64 years), special diet, smoking habit, body mass index and social class. The data are presented as g/day and as a percentage of total energy intake so that they may be viewed in context to the recommendations, particularly for non-milk extrinsic sugar intake. The results illustrate that low total or non-milk extrinsic sugar intakes are not necessarily associated with good health since men as a whole fail to meet the recommendation of less than 10% energy from non-milk extrinsic sugar, while women as a whole do, and obesity is associated with low sugar intakes. This emphasizes the need to consider all the nutrients in a diet together, before assessing its likely 'healthiness'.