A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
The UAE’s decision to tax beverages based on their sugar content has been welcomed by health professionals as a long-overdue step to safeguard public health.
The measure, which comes into effect from January 1, imposes a tax of Dh1.09 per litre on beverages containing more than 8 grammes of sugar per 100ml. Drinks with added sugar levels between 5 and 8 grammes per 100ml will attract a tax of Dh0.79 per litre, while beverages containing less than 5 grammes of sugar per 100ml will be zero-rated.
Elevated sugar consumption worldwide has been blamed for rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, prompting experts to warn of a growing public-health crisis that some describe as an “epidemic”. Health professionals say concerted action is urgently needed to curb excessive sugar intake.
Aletihad spoke to several doctors to understand how the new tax could help protect public health and reduce sugar consumption. They said taxing sugar-sweetened beverages could make a meaningful difference to the way people consume sugar.
“These drinks contribute a large amount of ‘empty calories’ with very little nutritional value, and they are strongly linked to weight gain, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes,” said Dr Shiju Selwin, General Practitioner – Family Medicine at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi.
Dr Selwin noted that sugar taxation is not unique to the UAE. “We have seen from international experiences, including the UK and other countries, that when sugary drinks become more expensive, consumption tends to drop,” he said. “While taxation alone won’t solve the obesity or diabetes epidemic, it is a strong first step. When combined with education, healthier alternatives and lifestyle awareness, it can yield results.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued clear guidelines on daily sugar intake. “‘Free sugars’ — meaning added sugars and sugars found in sweetened beverages, juices, syrups and honey — should make up less than 10% of a person’s daily calorie intake,” Dr Selwin said, adding that reducing this to below 5% offers additional health benefits.
For an average adult, this translates to roughly 25 to 50 grammes of added sugar per day. “Unfortunately, many people exceed this limit simply by drinking one or two sugary beverages, without accounting for sugar from snacks and processed foods,” he said.
Naturally occurring sugars, however, are different from added sugars. “When sugar is consumed as part of a whole food, such as fruit, it comes with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Fibre slows down sugar absorption, leading to a more gradual rise in blood glucose,” Dr Selwin explained.
Staple foods such as rice contain complex carbohydrates rather than free sugars. “When eaten in appropriate portions, particularly alongside protein and vegetables, they can be part of a balanced diet,” he said.
Artificial sweeteners approved for sale in supermarkets are generally considered safe when consumed within recommended limits. “However, ‘safe’ does not necessarily mean ‘healthy’. Emerging research suggests that regular use may not help with long-term weight control and could affect appetite regulation and metabolism in some individuals,” Dr Selwin cautioned. He called for moderation, adding: “Artificial sweeteners can be useful as a temporary step for people reducing sugar intake, particularly in diabetes management, but the long-term goal should be to reduce dependence on sweetness altogether.”
Ketogenic diets, which severely restrict carbohydrates and sugars, have gained popularity in recent years. “These diets can be effective for short-term weight loss and improving blood sugar control, especially in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes,” Dr Selwin said. “In selected patients and under medical supervision, they can be a useful therapeutic option. However, completely eliminating carbohydrates or sugars is unnecessary for most people and difficult to sustain in the long term.”
Dr Riyaz Ibrahim Mather, Specialist in Internal Medicine at LLH Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said the sugar tax could influence both consumers and manufacturers. “Consumers may try to find cheaper options with less sugar, while manufacturers may be incentivised to offer lower-calorie products,” he said.
Dr Mather added that recommended sugar intake varies depending on lifestyle. “With a sedentary lifestyle, daily calorie requirements are around 2,500 kilocalories, while a more active lifestyle requires over 3,000 kilocalories,” he said. “Either way, less than 5% of total sugar intake should come from processed sugar, with the rest from natural sources such as fruits and grains.”
Elaborating further, he said: “The more processed a sugar is, the faster it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Sugars from whole grains, fruits and vegetables contain fibre and therefore raise blood sugar levels more slowly.”
Artificial sweeteners approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are generally safe, Dr Mather said, but he cautioned against long-term reliance on ketogenic diets. “Keto can work as a short-term plan for rapid weight loss, but it is not suitable in the long term as it can raise cholesterol and uric acid levels and cause deficiencies in certain micronutrients,” he said.
Dr Nasrulla Jakhrani, Specialist Internal Medicine at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, said taxing sugar-sweetened beverages is a well-supported public-health intervention. “By increasing the price of high-sugar beverages, consumers are more likely to substitute them with healthier options such as water or unsweetened drinks,” he said. “Over time, this can lead to meaningful reductions in sugar intake and contribute to lower rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes.”
Dr Jakhrani agreed that added sugars should not exceed 10% of total daily energy intake. “For an average adult, this equates to roughly 25 to 50 grammes of free sugars per day,” he said.
Sugars and carbohydrates in foods such as fruits and rice are less harmful than processed sugars, he added. “Staples like rice contain complex carbohydrates that break down into glucose during digestion, but they do not cause the same rapid sugar spikes as sweetened drinks.”
While artificial sweeteners are generally safe, they should not be seen as a “free pass” for unhealthy lifestyles, Dr Jakhrani said, stressing that wholesome, balanced diets remain the best approach. He also cautioned against long-term reliance on ketogenic diets. “It is not necessary to eliminate sugar entirely. Moderation and balanced dietary patterns are more sustainable and evidence-based for public health,” he said.
Dentists, too, have welcomed the move. Dr Shafeer Abdulla, a dentist at Nafeesa Medical Centre in Sharjah, said the sugar tax would also help improve dental hygiene.
“Most people naturally have Streptococcus mutans bacteria in the oral cavity. When sugar from drinks or sweets comes into contact with these bacteria, it acts as fuel, triggering acid production that damages tooth enamel,” he explained. “Over time, this process leads to demineralisation of the tooth surface and the formation of cavities.”