Can sugar be a part of a healthy diet?
Yes. As part of a diet containing a variety of foods from all food groups, sugar can add to the enjoyment of healthy eating. Many recent studies have examined the relationship between sugar and health, and experts have concluded that sugar does not contribute to poor health or specific diseases. Along with other carbohydrates, sugar can contribute to tooth decay, but fluoride and good oral hygiene (including brushing and flossing) are recommended as the best ways to prevent cavities. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations invited world nutrition experts to review the current scientific literature on Carbohydrates in Human Nutrition. The report of the expert consultation was published in 1998 and confirmed that there is no involvement of sucrose or other sugars in the development of lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
