Day 014 - 20 Jul 94 - Page 21
1 the government of this country has, as it were, taken on
board so far as these various topics are concerned? But
2 before I do that, I would like to ask you two more broad
questions. They are at this stage broad questions. We
3 will come back to them in detail later. What is your
perception of the role plant fibre has to play in the
4 health of human beings?
A. My view is that, in general, it is advisable to
5 consume a diet which contains a reasonable amount of
dietary fibre.
6
Q. I will not ask you what the various reasons for that are
7 because there are various reasons, are there not?
A. Yes.
8
Q. Finally, before we go to our government's views on these
9 topics -- I do not say the government's views, but we will
see what they are in a moment -- what about sugar? Do you
10 see any particular role for sugar in a diet or, on the
contrary, reasons why it should not form part of our
11 diet?
A. Sugar is a source of energy, obviously, but the main
12 limitation or criticism of it, in my view, is that it does
not contain any other nutrients.
13
Q. Yes. I think we can all accept it is probably not very
14 good for our teeth if we eat too much of it and do not
clean our teeth afterwards; is that right?
15 A. That is right. It is mainly a factor of frequency as
opposed to the actual amounts that are consumed.
16
Q. Of course, certain kinds of diabetics must be careful
17 about their sugar intake?
A. Yes, that is a specialist issue.
18
Q. A specialist point. Can you take this grey volume,
19 please? My Lord, this is a somewhat lengthy exercise.
Will your Lordship -- because I shall not notice --
20 indicate when we should have a five minute break?
21 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you want it now?
22 MR. RAMPTON: It is up to your Lordship and the stenographers.
23 MR. JUSTICE BELL: We will have it now.
24 (Short Adjournment)
25 MS. STEEL: This has been referred to as the "grey book". It
might be helpful if the name is actually read out so that
26 it is in the transcript.
27 MR. RAMPTON: I am going to do all that. (To the witness):
Professor Wheelock, will you take the grey book, please?
28 It is issued by the Department of Health published by Her
Majesty's Stationery Office. It is entitled Report on
29 Health and Social Subjects 41. Is that a number in a
series?
30 A. It is, yes.
