Nutrition experts who re-examined the evidence around links between diet and conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay have recommended to government that radical steps are taken to reduce the intake of sugars in the population’s diet.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is particularly concerned about ‘free sugars’, those added to food. These include sucrose (table sugar), glucose and those naturally present in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices, but exclude lactose in milk and milk products.

These sugars should account for no more than five per cent of daily energy intake, the committee has recommended. This equates to:

19g or five sugar cubes for children aged four to six

24g or six sugar cubes for children aged seven to 10

30g or seven sugar cubes for 11 years and over.

'One-fifth of 10 to 11 year olds are obese and almost two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese and sugary drinks are a major contributor,' said Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, who have come out in support of the changes suggested in the report.

'There is nothing good about a sugary drink, particularly if you are under the age of 11, and we must work together to find ways to wean ourselves from the sugar habit.'

The recommendations have also been supported by The British Dietetic Association.