Updated WHO guidelines on sugar call for a further reduction of free sugars from 10% to less than 5% of total energy intake, or roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day.

Reducing sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy is a strong recommendation, a further reduction to less than 5% is  a conditional recommendation, the guidelines state. 

The advice is based on solid evidence that keeping intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity and tooth decay.

The guideline does not refer to the sugars in fresh fruits and vegetables, and sugars naturally present in milk, because there is no reported evidence of adverse effects of consuming these sugars.