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According to research by a consumer lobby group, iced coffee from coffeehouse chains has more sugar than chocolate and soda?
The research compared cold-shake coffee from coffee chains Costa, Starbucks and Cafe Nero, and concluded that it contained “exceptionally high levels” of sugar.
The National Health Service in Britain says adults should consume no more than 30g of sugar a day, but one drink contains 48.5g.
Each company said it offers alternatives.
A single Mars chocolate bar contains 31 grams of sugar, while a 330 ml bottle of Coca-Cola contains 35 grams.
A Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino with 48.5 grams of semi-skimmed milk was analyzed by which beverage?
A Starbucks spokesperson said the company is committed to helping customers “make informed, informed choices” and has offered beverage choices that allow consumers to control their sugar intake.
“The sugar content of our iced latte with semi-skimmed milk, one of our most popular drinks, starts at 8.7g per small drink,” the spokesperson added.
The Caffe Nero chain’s Belgian Chocolate Cake and Strawberry Hazelnut Iced Coffee drink contains 44.3 grams (or 11 teaspoons) of sugar.
Cafe Nero said the drink is offered as a “dessert” and accounts for less than 5% of summer drink sales. The company says its iced latte, its best-selling product, has no added sugar.
According to the study, coffee chain Costa Coffee’s brownie-flavored iced coffee with added oat milk contained 42.6 grams of sugar.
A spokesperson for the company said it will only offer “limited seasonal beverages, including our summer iced coffee shakes in small and medium sizes.”
He said he offers other drinks, some with less than 40 calories and two teaspoons of added sugar.
“All drinks can be modified to reduce calorie or sugar content, including ordering skim milk and removing additives or slightly reducing the cup size,” he said.
In 2018 the government introduced a so-called “sugar tax”, which means manufacturers pay a tax on the high-sugar drinks they sell.
However, certain beverages are exempt from the tax, including fruit juices and non-canned beverages in open cups. Concentrated beverages with different flavors often used in iced coffee are also exempted.
“Which one?” The group’s dietitian Shefali Luth said major coffee chains need to take more responsibility and reduce excess sugar in some of their drinks to protect people’s health.
She asked, “Which one?” Consumers who want to reduce their sugar intake should drink regular coffee instead.
How Much Sugar Should We Eat?
- According to Britain’s National Health Service, adults should have no more than 30 grams (about seven teaspoons) of free sugars a day, which are added sugars in food or drinks.
- Children between the ages of 7 and 10 should eat no more than 24 grams (six teaspoons) per day.
- Children aged 4 to 6 should not eat more than 19 grams (five teaspoons) per day.
- The Health Service says there is no guideline limit for children under four, but it is recommended to avoid sugary drinks and foods with added sugar.
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