Type 2 diabetes warning - sugar-free drinks could increase your risk of diabetes

“Whole fruits are unrefined and therefore are much better for you than other sweet snacks because of the fibre and nutrients they contain, which counter many of the harmful effects of fructose,” explains Dr Braithwaite.

“The obvious conclusion here is to try replacing dessert or sugary snacks with whole fruits.”

But, as he points out, there may be other opportunities to do this as well, such as swapping sugar in your cereal or porridge for dried berries, or having strawberries with a little chocolate instead of a chocolate bar alone.

“It should be noted, whilst juicing maintains some of the nutrients and vitamins in the fruit, it discards the fibre – leaving you with the same amount of fructose as you get in Coca Cola,” adds Dr Braithwaite.