The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that people should reduce their sugar intake to six to 12 teaspoons per day. In newly introduced guidelines, the WHO stated that the world is consuming too much sugar.

The guidelines support the draft released last year. It focused on additional sugars present in processed food like honey, syrups and fruit juices. The recommendation to limit the intake does not comply with naturally occurring sugars present in fruit, vegetables and milk because these sugars have essential nutrients.

"We have solid evidence that keeping intake of (added) sugars to less than 10 percent of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay", said Francesco Branca, director of WHO's nutrition department.

Repeatedly, experts have warned about the dangers associated with sugar. Studies have been carried out that suggest that people who consume large amounts of sugar are at an increased risk of dying prematurely from heart complications, diabetes and cancer.

Americans, Europeans and other western countries would require slashing their sugar intake by around two-thirds. Americans get around 13% of their calories from added sugar, which is equivalent to around 18 teaspoons.

In Europe, sugar intake varies, like in Hungary and Norway, it's around 7% and in Britain it is 17% and 25% in Portugal. Earlier, the WHO suggested an upper limit for sugar consumption. However, now it has reduced the limit.

The Sugar Association does not agree with the recommendations. They affirmed that the new advice is based on 'poor quality, weak and inconsistent data'. It said that the WHO has itself suggested that 5% target is 'very low quality'. The International Council of Beverages Associations also raised similar concerns.