The World Health Organization has proposed lowering the recommended 
upper limit for dietary sugars to less than 5% of total energy intake 
to reduce the risk for excess weight gain and dental cavities.

In draft guidelines, the WHO maintains that sugars should comprise 
less than 10% of a person’s caloric intake, as it noted in its 2002 
guidelines, but further benefits would be seen if less than 5% of 
calories were from sugar. This is equivalent to about six teaspoons of 
sugar a day. One can of soda may contain around 10 teaspoons.

The group is seeking public input until the end of March before 
releasing its final guidelines.