Sugary snacking habits

22 May 2014
Volume 29 · Issue 10

A new survey by the British Dental Health Foundation reveals the shocking truth about the UK’s sugar consumption.

According to the survey, more than one in four of us (27 per cent) are eating snacks high in sugar twice a day or more.

London is the UK’s biggest snacking region, with one in five Londoners (20 per cent) eating snacks high in sugar three times a day or more, followed by North East (17 per cent) and one in ten in Scotland and Wales (11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively).

In contrast, the South West is a low sugar zone, with one in three (33 per cent) saying they never eat snacks high in sugar.

In addition to highlighting levels of snacking across the UK, the new survey also sheds light on the low priority we place on our oral health in comparison to other areas.

Approaching three in every ten survey respondents (29 per cent) said that the impact a food or drink could have on their body weight/shape may make them think twice about picking up a sugary snack, while only four per cent said that how it could affect the overall health of their mouth and teeth influences their decision. Furthermore, only two per cent said they were influenced by the effect that food and drink could have on the appearance of their teeth.

The results have been published together with Listerine as part of National Smile Month, which will run from 19 May to 19 June.  The UK’s biggest oral health campaign is an annual reminder of how to improve oral health and why maintaining it is vital to overall wellbeing.

Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, thinks everyone should take a second to consider how their lifestyle could be adversely dampening their smile.

Nigel says: “Most of us know and understand how various foods and drinks affect our body and overall health but many remain unaware that diet also plays a vital role in oral health.  Poor diet contributes to a variety of problems in the mouth including dental decay, erosion and bad breath

“Every time we eat or drink anything sugary, teeth are under attack for up to one hour. Saliva plays a major role in neutralising acid in the mouth, and it takes up to an hour for that to happen. If sweetened foods and drinks are constantly being eaten, the mouth is constantly under attack and does not get the chance to recover. It is very important to remember it is not how much sugary food or drink you have, it is how often you have them.

“Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks naturally weakens the enamel on the teeth, and as a result we recommend eating three square meals a day instead of having seven to ten ‘snack attacks'.”

Nutritionist Amanda Hamilton added: “Most adults in the UK eat too much sugar, whether it’s in snacks or fizzy drinks. And while many of us are aware that sweet treats can be enjoyed in moderation, it is worth noting that sugar can lurk in some of our much-loved food staples.”