Cut Daily Sugar to 5% of Calories: Health Agency

March 7, 2014 -- People should halve the amount of sugar in their diet, the World Health Organization says.Recommended levels of sugar will remain at less than 10 percent of total calorie intake per day, but people should try for less than five percent, according to a new draft guidance issued by the WHO, BBC News reported.

Along with all sugars added to foods, the suggested limits also apply to sugars that occur naturally in syrups, honey, fruit juices and fruit concentrates, according to the guidance, which will be open for public input. Final recommendations are expected to be release this summer.

The WHO recommendation that sugars should account for less than 10 percent of calories was issued in 2002. That works out to about 50 grams a day for an adult with normal weight, BBC News reported.