The Office of Rospotrebnadzor in the Smolensk Region said that sugar consumption in Russia is one and a half times lower than in the United States, 11% higher than in Germany, and twice as high as in Japan. On average, one Russian, including the Smolyan, eats 107 g per day or 39 kg per year.
A significant proportion of the sugars consumed today are found in processed foods that are not usually considered sweets. For example, as explained in the Smolensk Rospotrebnadzor, one tablespoon of ketchup contains about 4 grams (about a teaspoon) of free sugars. One can of sugar-sweetened soda contains up to 40 grams (about 10 teaspoons) of free sugars.
The World Health Organization recommends that adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. Further reduction to less than 5%, or roughly 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day, will provide additional health benefits. Free sugars consumption of less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of overweight, obesity, tooth decay, and other noncommunicable diseases.