The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Food and drinks are getting sweeter. Even if it's not all sugar, it's bad for our health

  • Written by Cherie Russell, PhD Candidate, Deakin University
Food and drinks are getting sweeter. Even if it's not all sugar, it's bad for our health

Humans have an evolutionary preference for sweetness. Sweet foods, like fruit and honey, were an important energy source[1] for our ancestors.

However, in the modern world, sweetened foods are readily available, very cheap and advertised extensively. Now, we are consuming too much sugar in foods and drinks – the kind that is added rather than sugar that is naturally occurring. Consuming too much added sugar is bad news[2] for health. It is linked to obesity[3], type 2 diabetes and tooth decay[4].

Because of these health concerns, manufacturers started using non-nutritive sweeteners to sweeten food as well. These sweeteners contain little to no kilojoules and include both artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, and those that come from natural sources, such as stevia.

Our research, published today[5], shows the amount of added sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners in packaged foods and drinks has grown a lot over the last decade. This is especially true in middle-income countries, such as China and India, as well as in the Asia Pacific, including Australia.

From lollies to biscuits to drinks

Using market sales data from around the globe, we looked at the quantity of added sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners sold in packaged foods and drinks from 2007 to 2019.

We found per person volumes of non-nutritive sweeteners in drinks is now 36% higher globally. Added sugars in packaged food is 9% higher.

Non-nutritive sweeteners are most commonly added to confectionery. Ice creams and sweet biscuits are the fastest-growing food categories in terms of these sweeteners. The expanding use of added sugars and other sweeteners over the last decade means, overall, our packaged food supply is getting sweeter.

Our analysis shows the amount of added sugar used to sweeten drinks has increased globally. However, this is largely explained by a 50% increase in middle-income countries, such as China and India. Use has decreased in high-income countries, such as Australia and the United States.

group of kids eat icypoles
Icecreams are among the foods increasing in sweetness the fastest. Shutterstock[6]

It is recommended[7] men consume less than nine teaspoons of sugar a day, while women should have less than six. However, because sugar is added to so many foods and drinks, over half of Australians exceed recommendations[8], eating an average of 14 teaspoons a day.

The shift from using added sugar to sweeteners to sweeten drinks is most common in carbonated soft drinks and bottled water. The World Health Organization is developing guidelines[9] on the use of non-sugar sweeteners[10].

girls with soda bottle drinks through straw Drinks labelled ‘sugar-free’ might seem healthier, even if they’re not. Shutterstock[11]

Read more: Sugar detox? Cutting carbs? A doctor explains why you should keep fruit on the menu[12]

Rich and poor countries

There is a difference in added sugar and sweetener use between richer and poorer countries. The market for packaged food and beverages in high-income countries has become saturated. To continue to grow, large food and beverage corporations are expanding into middle-income countries[13].

Our findings demonstrate a double standard in the sweetening of the food supply, with manufacturers providing less sweet, “healthier” products in richer countries.

spoonful of sugar with raspberry on top Added sugar is bad but rules to cut it out can have unintended consequences. Unsplash/Myriam Zilles, CC BY[14][15]

Read more: How much longer do we need to wait for Australia to implement a sugary drinks tax?[16]

Unexpected consequences of control

To reduce the health harms of high added sugar intakes, many governments have acted to curb their use and consumption. Sugar levies, education campaigns, advertising restrictions and labelling are among these measures[17].

But such actions can encourage manufacturers to partially or completely substitute sugar with non-nutritive sweeteners to avoid penalties or cater to evolving population preferences.

In our study, we found regions with a higher number of policy actions to reduce sugar intakes had a significant increase in non-nutritive sweeteners sold in drinks.

Why is this a problem

While the harms of consuming too much added sugar are well known, relying on non-nutritive sweeteners as a solution also carries risk. Despite their lack of dietary energy, recent reviews[18], suggest consuming non-nutritive sweeteners may be linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease[19] and can disrupt the gut microbiome[20].

And because they are sweet, ingesting non-nutritive sweeteners influences our palates[21] and encourages us to want more sweet food. This is of particular concern for children, who are still developing their lifelong taste preferences. Additionally, certain non-nutritive sweeteners are considered environmental contaminants[22] and are not effectively removed from wastewater.

Non-nutritive sweeteners are only found in ultra-processed foods[23]. These foods are industrially made, contain ingredients you would not find in a home kitchen, and are designed to be “hyper-palatable”. Eating more ultra-processed foods is linked with more heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and death[24].

Ultra-processed[25] foods are also environmentally harmful[26] because they use significant resources such as energy, water, packaging materials and plastic waste.

Foods that contain sweeteners can receive a “health halo” if they don’t contain sugar, misleading the public and potentially displacing nutritious, whole foods in the diet.

sugar and sweetener sachets Non-nutritive sweeteners can include those from artificial and natural sources. Shutterstock[27]

Read more: Poorest Americans drink a lot more sugary drinks than the richest – which is why soda taxes could help reduce gaping health inequalities[28]

Focus on nutrition

When making policy to improve public health nutrition, it is important to consider unintended consequences. Rather than focusing on specific nutrients, there is merit in advocating for policy that considers the broader aspects of food, including cultural importance, level of processing and environmental impacts. Such policy should promote nutritious, minimally processed foods.

We need to closely monitor the increasing sweetness of food and drinks and the growing use of added sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners. It is likely to shape our future taste preferences, food choices and human and planetary health.

References

  1. ^ were an important energy source (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ bad news (www.health.harvard.edu)
  3. ^ obesity (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  4. ^ type 2 diabetes and tooth decay (www.gov.uk)
  5. ^ published today (www.cambridge.org)
  6. ^ Shutterstock (image.shutterstock.com)
  7. ^ It is recommended (www.hsph.harvard.edu)
  8. ^ Australians exceed recommendations (www.abs.gov.au)
  9. ^ developing guidelines (www.who.int)
  10. ^ non-sugar sweeteners (www.who.int)
  11. ^ Shutterstock (image.shutterstock.com)
  12. ^ Sugar detox? Cutting carbs? A doctor explains why you should keep fruit on the menu (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ expanding into middle-income countries (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  14. ^ Unsplash/Myriam Zilles (images.unsplash.com)
  15. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  16. ^ How much longer do we need to wait for Australia to implement a sugary drinks tax? (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ are among these measures (www.cambridge.org)
  18. ^ reviews (www.who.int)
  19. ^ type 2 diabetes and heart disease (www.who.int)
  20. ^ gut microbiome (academic.oup.com)
  21. ^ influences our palates (www.who.int)
  22. ^ environmental contaminants (www.sciencedirect.com)
  23. ^ ultra-processed foods (www.cambridge.org)
  24. ^ heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and death (www.mdpi.com)
  25. ^ Ultra-processed (theconversation.com)
  26. ^ environmentally harmful (www.thelancet.com)
  27. ^ Shutterstock (image.shutterstock.com)
  28. ^ Poorest Americans drink a lot more sugary drinks than the richest – which is why soda taxes could help reduce gaping health inequalities (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/food-and-drinks-are-getting-sweeter-even-if-its-not-all-sugar-its-bad-for-our-health-187605

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...