What is Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars?

Extrinsic sugars are not located within the cellular structure of a food and the sugars added to foods & beverages during processing or home preparation & fruit juice. Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars or NMES are all extrinsic sugars which are not from milk.

The definition Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars includes all sugars that are neither components of milk, nor contained within plant cell walls. Thus, it includes table sugar, sugars and syrups used in processing, honey, and sugars in fruit juices. This type of sugar can cause tooth decay and it is recommended that children have sugar containing foods and drinks at meals times and in small amounts.

Dietary guidelines have emphasized limiting the intake of Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars primarily on grounds of their putative contribution to dental caries and obesity. However, it has also been suggested that relatively high intakes of NMES may compromise micronutrient intake in individuals with low energy requirements and intakes.

The WHO recommends limiting Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars consumption to <10 % energy to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain and dental caries, and to restrict frequency of intake to <4 times/d to reduce risk of dental caries.
What is Non-Milk Extrinsic Sugars?