Health warning as audit finds drinks contain more than double the recommended sugar limit

Australians are consuming more than double the amount of the recommended sugar limit, with experts concerned the trend could raise the risk of 13 types of cancers .

Popular drinks such as soft drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks sold in Australian supermarkets contain as much as 2.5 times the daily limit of sugar in a single serve, an audit by the Food for Health Alliance found.

It found Coca-Cola Classic and Solo Original Lemon were among the worst offenders and contained about 16 teaspoons of sugar in each 600ml bottle.

A 500ml bottle of Monster Energy Green was found to have 14.2 teaspoons of sugar, V Engergy 500ml bottles had 13.4 teaspoons of sugar and Red Bull Energy Drinks had 12.7 teaspoons in a 473ml bottle.

The World Health Organisation says just six teaspoons are the recommended daily limit for good health outcomes, with a maximum limit of 12 teaspoons of sugar per day.

“Sugary drinks continue to be the leading source of added sugar in Australians’ diet,” Food for Health Alliance executive manager Jane Martin said.

“Each year sugary drinks companies sell more than 1.3 billion litres of sugary drinks to Australians — the equivalent of 530 Olympic swimming pools.”

Martin said there is strong evidence that links sugary drink consumption to worrying health issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney and liver conditions.

It can also lead to mental health conditions and to long-term weight gain and obesity — which experts say raises the risk for 13 types of cancer.

Sugary drinks can also lead to harmful and costly preventable dental conditions, with the combination of high sugar content and acidity leading to cavities, enamel erosion, and irreversible dental damage and sensitivity.

“Sugary drinks are a major contributor to poor oral health and increase the risk of tooth decay across all age groups,” Australian Dental Association’s Dr Monica Farrelly said.

“Tooth decay is one of the most common and preventable health conditions, yet it continues to place a significant burden on individuals, families and the health system.

“Supporting Australians to reduce their intake of sugary drinks is an important preventative health measure.”

The audit comes as new research by Cancer Council Victoria shows 77 per cent of Australians surveyed support government action to push sugary drink companies to reduce the sugar content of their products.