Sugar addiction: Silent public health pandemic

Turbindo sugar is often called “raw” sugar. This only means that it has been refined enough to make it safe to eat while leaving in the natural molasses, flavours and colour.

Keep in mind that raw sugar is still sucrose. In fact, raw sugar is about 96 to 98 per cent sucrose after the refined process.

In 2022, Ghana imported $159m of raw sugar, becoming the 55th largest importer of raw sugar in the world. In the same year, raw sugar was the 27th most imported product in Ghana. Ghana imports raw sugar primarily from Brazil ($105m), India ($26.6m), Morocco ($17.2m), Nicaragua ($4.88m) and France ($2.18m). 

Raw sugar consumption is set to reach 142,000 metric tons by 2026. This is a 0.1 per cent year-on-year growth rate, with a 0.2 per cent growth rate since. In 2021, Ghana came in at number 15 in the world rankings, just behind Sri Lanka at 141,00 metric tons. Brazil, Thailand and Egypt came in at 2,3,4 respectively.

Urbanisation, lifestyle changes and easy availability of processed foods and beverages are driving excessive and unhealthy consumption of sugar in Ghana and Africa.

Various studies show many health hazards such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, dental problems, cardiovascular disease, mood and metabolic disorders as being direct consequences of excessive sugar consumption 

Raw sugar and refined sugar are not interchangeable. Raw sugar does not dissolve as easily as refined sugar. It holds its shape when it heats, making it good for crunchy topping on sugar cookies or muffins, but not so great in cakes or pudding, where smoothness and moisture are desired.

Warning

Sugar, in the form of glucose -artificial sweeteners, sucrose, and particularly brown sugar (which is fraud because brown sugar is actually white that has been coloured brown, with an artificial sweetener called caramel)- are all dangerous and should be avoided.

One of these dangerous artificial sweeteners that Ghanaians need to be aware of is Aspartame. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been promoted as a safe source of sugar.

However, this is very misleading because what Ghanaians need to be aware of is that aspartame is 200 times sweeter than white sugar. Aspartame is totally synthetic and made with a toxic poison called methanol.

Methanol is combined with aspartic acid and phenylalanine and called Aspartame, with the commercial name NutraSweet. Methanol is toxic whilst excessive amounts of aspartic acid and phenylalanine are toxic to the liver.

In the United States, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has reported that the common symptoms of too much aspartame are dizziness, nausea, vision problems, malaise and recurrent headaches.

Aspartame can be found in products such as chewing gum, soft drinks, cereals, cakes, instant tea, milkshakes, breath mints, juice drinks, milk, instant coffee and most foods that say sugar-free.

Ghanaians should be aware of the two varieties of sugar

Intrinsic sugars are those sugars that occur naturally in fruits and vegetables and are called intrinsic because they reside within the cell structure themselves.

Extrinsic sugars are those sugars not contained within the cell structure of the above-mention natural foods. Instead, they themselves fall into two mean groups: milk extrinsic sugar, which occurs naturally in milk products, and non-milk extrinsic sugars, which are added to food. 

Associated risks

Dr Promise Edem Nukunu, CEO of MedNova Clinic, states that while excessive sugar consumption is not formally recognised as a medical diagnosis in most healthcare systems, it may contribute to the development or exacerbation of some health conditions.

“Genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors all play significant roles,” he says. Diets high in sugar are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are counted among the leading causes of mortality in Ghana.

Consumption of sugary foods may also result in poor dental health, such as tooth decay and cavities, which can have long-term consequences on health and well-being.

In terms of nutritional deficiencies, high consumption of sugary foods and beverages may displace nutrient-rich foods from the diet, leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients and micronutrients.

Typically, addressing sugar addiction involves gradually reducing sugar intake, adopting healthier eating habits and seeking support from nutritionists and behavioural therapists.
Recommend governments focus on public health campaigns and nutrition education, stricter food industry regulations and taxes and tariffs on sugar-sweetened beverages.

The writer is a medical/science communicator.
E-mail: mustysallama@