Thailand’s Department of Health has redefined “normal sweetness” in beverages, reducing it from 100% to 50% to promote healthier choices, lower sugar intake, and reduce risks of health issues like obesity and diabetes.
Key Points
- Thailand’s Department of Health has revised the “normal sweetness” standard for beverages from 100% to 50% to promote healthier consumption and mitigate health risks associated with high sugar intake. This change, effective February 11, 2026, aims to lower the likelihood of overweight conditions and non-communicable diseases.
- The department highlights the benefits of reduced sugar intake, including improved skin health, stable blood sugar levels, and decreased abdominal fat. Lower sweetness levels also help restore taste sensitivity, making less-sweet foods more enjoyable.
- Taste receptors renew approximately every 14 days; initial dissatisfaction may occur but sticking to reduced sweetness for over 10 days can promote healthier eating habits and support overall well-being by easing the strain on the liver and pancreas.
Thailand’s Department of Health Redefines “Normal Sweetness” Standard to 50 Percent
The Department of Health has introduced a new standard for “normal sweetness,” reducing it from 100 percent to 50 percent to promote healthier beverage choices and reduce the risks associated with excessive sugar consumption.
On February 11, 2026, the Department of Health announced that the updated guideline aims to improve public health by halving the sugar content of beverages. This change is designed to reduce the risk of overweight conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Department also noted that reducing sugar intake benefits both skin and overall physical health. Choosing 50 percent sweetness can slow premature skin aging, support stable blood sugar for better concentration and reduced fatigue, and help decrease abdominal fat and water retention.
The Department added that reducing sweetness restores natural taste sensitivity, making less-sweet foods more enjoyable. Lower sugar intake also reduces strain on the liver and pancreas, supporting metabolism and lowering future risks of fatty liver disease and diabetes.
The Department explained that taste receptors for sweetness renew in about 14 days. It is normal to feel less satisfied at first, but maintaining reduced sweetness for over 10 days can make healthier choices easier to sustain.
Source : Thailand’s Department of Health Redefines “Normal Sweetness” Standard to 50 Percent
