Last updated 17/01/2024
Flavoured or sweetened yoghurt is made by adding sugar, fruit, fruit purees or concentrates, honey and/or other flavourings to plain yoghurt. This added sugar is not known to have adverse effects on health.
Limiting the intake of added sugar has been advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Australian government, public health organisations and experts in a push to reduce rates of obesity and dental caries.
Most of the evidence linking sugar intake to negative health outcomes is around soft drinks. The science doesn’t show that we need to limit intake of core foods that contain added sugar, such as flavoured yoghurt.
This is because all types of yoghurt (regardless of sugar content) contain a package of nutrients and consumption is associated with health benefits.
Adding sugar to yoghurt does not detract from the health benefits. It can help improve taste, flavour and texture of yoghurt which are all factors that encourage greater intake of yoghurt, leading to better diet quality and increased consumption of the dairy food group.
