Reconsider plans to limit sugar and sodium

The grains group took issue with a D.G.A.C. recommendation to limit sugar intake to no more than 10% of current calories.

In their letter, the group said D.G.A.C. rated as “strong” scientific evidence linking sugar intake to chronic disease. Two major studies cited by the committee actually showed “rather small associations between sugar intake and body weight.” Additional studies that were not included show no association between sugar intake and several health outcomes, the letter said.

For sodium, the letter cited recent data challenging recommendations to cut intake sharply.

“The recommendation of the 2015 D.G.A.C. for dietary sodium intake to below 2,300 mg may not be compatible with minimizing risk for mortality or cardiovascular disease as stated in the 2013 Institute of Medicine report on ‘Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence’ and in other peer reviewed journals,” the letter said. “Evidence linking sodium intake to mortality outcomes is scant and inconsistent. Several publications in 2014 and 2015 have demonstrated an increased mortality risk associated with low sodium intake.”