If you knew how much added sugar was being poured into your lunchtime bottle of Coke or Fanta, would you be so ready to drink it?
A new report by the Australian consumer watchdog, Choice Australia, has revealed that countless popular soft drink options contain as many as 16 teaspoons of sugar per serve.
This amounts to nearly three times the recommended six teaspoons for women, and twice the advocated number of nine spoons for men.
A new report by the Australian consumer watchdog, Choice Australia, has revealed that countless popular soft drink options contain as many as 16 teaspoons of sugar per serve
This amounts to nearly three times the recommended six teaspoons for women, and twice the advocated number of nine spoons for men (stock image)
According to Choice, a 600-milliletre bottle of Fanta contains a whopping 16 and a quarter teaspoons of added sugar per serving.
The ubiquitous favourite, Coca Cola, comes in second worst place. Their 600-milliletre bottle contains 16 teaspoons of sugar per serving.
A 500ml can of Monster Energy drink is almost worse for you than Coke or Fanta, on account of the fact that you’re drinking less liquid, but it still contains 14 and a quarter teaspoons per serving.
Meanwhile, while you might expect a humble 500ml double espresso from Barista Bros to have pretty much next to no added sugar, in fact it has 13 and a quarter teaspoons per bottle.
According to Choice, a 600-milliletre bottle of Fanta contains a whopping 16 and a quarter teaspoons of added sugar per serving (stock image)
The current guidelines for sugar consumption from WHO suggest that people should limit sugar to less than ten per cent of their total daily energy intake (stock image)
The current guidelines for sugar consumption from the World Health Organisation suggest that people should limit sugar to less than ten per cent of their total daily energy intake.
The global organisation also suggested that a reduction to below five per cent would have added benefits.
This is equivalent to about 25 grams (or six teaspoons) of sugar per day for an adult of normal body mass index (BMI).
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures suggest that 63 per cent of Australian adults are overweight, and 27 per cent of children are classified as obese (stock image)
Following the report, Choice has joined a coalition of 35 leading organisations to highlight eight actions for the Federal Government to ensure a healthier future for all Australians.
This is off the back of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which suggest that 63 per cent of Australian adults are overweight, and 27 per cent of children are classified as obese.
According to ABS, sugary drinks are contributing to the problem.
Choice – alongside the other organisations – are campaigning for a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks, restrictions on junk food advertising and the mandatory use of health star ratings.