Page 9 - Cornwall Issue 1 2025

HEALTH MATTERS

uring World Sugar Awareness and certain cancers, noting that it’s a “By learning about where sugars are
Week in November 2024, public health crisis that requires urgent hidden and how to recognise them on
experts sounded the alarm action. Unfortunately, unregulated food labels, people can make more informed
Dabout excessive sugar intake outlets often do not comply with the South choices. It’s not about depriving ourselves,
in South Africa, where the average daily African legislation. but about making small, sustainable
consumption far exceeds World Health changes that benefit our health.”
Organisation (WHO) guidelines. South One barrier to cutting down on sugar
Africans consume between 12 and 24 is the prevalence of “hidden sugars” in World Sugar Awareness Week is a global
teaspoons of sugar per day, well above the processed foods. campaign aimed at reducing sugar
WHO’s recommended six teaspoons. consumption by educating the public
Jennings says learning how to read on the health risks associated with
Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma nutrition labels can empower consumers added sugars and the importance of
Dynamics – an advocate for healthy to make healthier choices. “Labels often reducing their intake. This year’s theme
living, and Prof Pamela Naidoo, CEO of list sugars under different names, like high highlights the urgent need for individuals,
THE
fructose corn syrup, dextrose or maltose,
governments and the food industry to
the Heart and Stroke Foundation South
Africa (HSFSA), are calling for heightened
take action against excessive sugar
which can make it difficult to understand
just how much sugar you are consuming.”
awareness of sugar’s negative health
consumption.
HEALTH “The country faces an epidemic of average 330 ml soft drink contains about cutting down on sugar may seem
impacts.
Prof Naidoo acknowledges that while
Naidoo points out that in South Africa, the
non-communicable diseases such as
eight teaspoons of sugar, while a similar
challenging, the health benefits are
serving of fruit juice contains roughly nine
profound. “Reducing sugar intake can
cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes and obesity,
help prevent a host of health issues, from
with raised sugar consumption playing
teaspoons.
a key role in driving these conditions,”
heart disease to diabetes and even some
“These amounts far exceed the daily limit
says Prof Naidoo. “During World Sugar
cancers. Our goal is not just to reduce
sugar intake, but to support a future where
Awareness Week, we encouraged everyone
suggested by the WHO and quickly add up,
we are free from preventable diseases
to consider how small behavioural changes
especially if you’re drinking more than one
linked to our diets. Increased sugar intake
a day. It’s essential for consumers to know
to their diet could make a big difference to
that ‘total sugars’ on labels includes both
is addictive, therefore, behavioural control
their health.”
RISKS Most sugar intake in South Africa comes for products with little or no added sugar.” “World Sugar Awareness Week is an
and self-management are important.
natural and added sugars. It’s best to aim
from added sugars in processed foods
opportunity for us all to rethink our sugar
habits and commit to healthier choices,”
Jennings also stresses the role of
and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
Common items like soft drinks, fruit juices
education in reducing sugar consumption:
she says.
and processed snacks often contain
hidden sugars, contributing to higher blood
To help people curb their sugar intake,
sugar levels and over time, increased risks
of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes,
Jennings and Naidoo suggest the following
liver disease and other serious health
issues.
practical strategies:
impact on our overall weight, as well as on
OF HIDDEN SUGARS “Excessive sugar intake has a significant 1. Reduce added sugars: Cut back on sugar added to coffee, tea and
our organs, skin, teeth and energy levels,”
cereals. Even small reductions can make a big difference over time.
says Prof Naidoo. “The high rate of added
2. Switch to healthier beverages: Choose water, unsweetened herbal tea, or
sugars in diets, especially in beverages, is
sparkling water instead of sugary drinks.
a major contributing factor to the obesity
crisis. Reducing sugar intake, particularly
3. Limit sugary breakfast foods: Choose high fibre, high protein options like
from SSBs, could help reverse these
oatmeal with fruit or whole-grain toast with avocado instead of sugar-
troubling health trends.” South Africa has
laden pancakes or muffins.
introduced the sugar sweetened beverage 4. Avoid processed snacks: Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts
tax.
and seeds rather than sugary snacks and highly processed foods.
5. Choose healthier desserts: Instead of sugar-heavy desserts, try fresh fruit
Jennings emphasises the unique risks
posed by sugar in liquid form. “When we or Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
consume sugar-sweetened beverages, the
body absorbs it rapidly, often within 30
minutes, which can lead to a sharp spike
in blood sugar levels. This rapid increase
doesn’t provide the feeling of fullness that
we get from solid foods, so people often
consume more than they realise,” she
explains. “Cutting down on SSBs is one of
the simplest yet most effective changes
people can make to reduce their sugar
intake.”
The impact of sugar consumption on
obesity is another pressing concern. South
Africa has the highest obesity rate in sub-
Saharan Africa, with 70% of women and
40% of men over the age of 35 classified
as overweight. Jennings points out that
obesity significantly increases the risk of
developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease
ISSUED BY MEROPA COMMUNIC ATIONS ON BEH ALF OF PH ARMA DY NAMICS .
Cornwall View • Issue 1 2025 19 7