Inside Our Food

History of Sugar: A Brief Journey

Silvia Lazzaris

Today, public health institutions such as the WHO and the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are clear in their recommendations: free sugars shouldn't make up more than 10% of our total energy intake, and an ideal diet wouldn't include more than 5-6% of calories coming from sugar.

But understanding the impacts of sugar on our health is not an easy task. Food science is complicated and imperfect, but some level of confusion has been added in by sugar industry stakeholders, who have spent millions over the past few decades to support studies that would produce desirable results for their industry. That's why this little historical journey will help us spot conflicts of interest and put current findings in perspective!

Produced & Presented by Silvia Lazzaris

Motion Graphics by Jamie Burton


4 Minute Watch
Published May 04 2023

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