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Added sugar
Sugars put into food and drink, best limited to a small share of energy.
Concepts
Definition
Added sugars are those added during processing or preparation — table sugar, syrups, honey and the sugar in soft drinks — as opposed to the sugar naturally present in whole fruit and milk. They supply energy with few other nutrients, and guidelines commonly suggest keeping free sugars under about 10%, and ideally 5%, of daily energy. Sugary drinks are the largest single source for many people because they add a lot of energy without making you feel full.
Related terms
Carbohydrate
The body's main quick energy source, from sugars, starches and fibre.
Glycemic index
A 0–100 ranking of how fast a carbohydrate food raises blood glucose.
Calorie
A unit of food energy; the "calorie" on labels is really a kilocalorie.
Source: World Health Organization free-sugars guidance. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is added sugar?
Added sugars are those added during processing or preparation — table sugar, syrups, honey and the sugar in soft drinks — as opposed to the sugar naturally present in whole fruit and milk. They supply energy with few other nutrients, and guidelines commonly suggest keeping free sugars under about 10%, and ideally 5%, of daily energy. Sugary drinks are the largest single source for many people because they add a lot of energy without making you feel full.
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