free sugar
Non-intrinsic carbohydrate sweetness
Free sugar refers to sugars added to foods and beverages during processing, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices—distinguished from sugars bound within whole fruits and vegetables.
Nutritional guidelines often recommend limiting free sugar intake: The WHO suggests free sugars should be less than 10% of daily calories.
The term excludes lactose in milk and sugars in intact fruit, where fiber slows absorption.
- sweetenerAdditive reducing bitterness
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- food labelingProduct ingredient disclosure system
- dietary guidelinesRecommendations for healthy eating
- honeyBees' viscous nectar product
artificial sweetener · syrup · stevia · lactose · caramelization · maltose · obesity · frosting · monosaccharides · diabetes · high-fructose corn syrup · agave · processed foods · empty calories · glycemic index · sucrose · baking techniques · refining