WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “For too long the guidelines on what to eat were not driven by the best science,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. She added, “We are particularly pleased to see the recommendation limiting the amount of added sugars in our diet to no more than 10% of daily calories.”

“Already, one in seven calories consumed by youth are from added sugars in products like soda and sports drinks.  The impact has been particularly harmful in Hispanic and African American communities that are the subject of intense marketing by the sugar sweetened beverage industry,” said Dr. Delgado.

A national survey conducted by the Alliance’s Healthy Americas Institute found that one in two Hispanics (53%) and non-Hispanic blacks (51%), compared to 37% of non-Hispanic whites, report that they daily or weekly drink soda or pop that contains sugar.

“There is much more we can do and the Alliance is committed to policy efforts that support healthy retail options and information. These include the Food and Drug Administration’s proposal to list added sugars on food labels and the SWEET Act currently before Congress that would add a penny a teaspoon tax paid by manufacturers that add sugar and other caloric sweeteners to beverages.  They are common sense approaches to support individuals and families implement today’s dietary guideline recommendation on added sugars and promote healthier environments for all,” concluded Dr. Delgado.

The Alliance announced that consumers who want information on how to eat healthy can call the Alliance’s bilingual Su Familia helpline at 1-866-783-2645.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health  (The Alliance)
The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the best health outcomes for all. For more information, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org or call the Alliance’s Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.