It is strongly suspected that the consumption of free sugars, mainly as sugar sweetened beverages, play a role in the development of some non-communicable diseases. This proposal is supported by the observations that fructose consumption impairs glucose and lipid homeostasis in healthy subjects, and generates reactive oxygen species and toxic mediators in the liver. Large prospective cohort studies also show positive associations between sugar consumption and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of public health policies aimed at reducing sugar consumption is not yet known. (C) Societe francaise de nutrition. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.