The daily intake of more than 25 grams or five teaspoons of sugar in the short run can lead to extra weight, while in the long run to hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus. The Ministry of Health launched a nationwide information and awareness-raising campaign centering on sugar consumption in Chisinau on September 22, IPN reports.
Daniela Demișcan, division head at the Ministry of Health, told a news conference that each patient hospitalized with complications caused by COVID-19 suffers from diabetes and hypertension. A study carried out in 2014-2015 in Ukraine, which refers also to the Republic of Moldova, showed that the people in the region daily eat a quantity of sugar that is five times higher than the one recommended by the World Health Organization – five teaspoons a day.
Ion Șalaru, vice director of the National Public Health Agency, said the number of cases of type 2 diabetes has increased in Moldova and no progress is made in reducing mortality due to this disease. Diabetes is not inherited and can be prevented by reducing the intake of sugar.
Ion Șalaru noted that 100 grams of sugary soda water contains about 25 grams of sugar, which is the norm recommended by the WHO, but the intake is much higher. In the municipality of Chisinau, over 70% of the children suffer from dental caries caused also by the excessive consummation of sodas.
To prevent diseases caused by excess sugar consumption, the specialist recommends eating fresh fruit and vegetables and water instead of drinks with sugar or sweeteners. One should attentively read the labels on products, where the quantity of sugar is indicated, as the products that are not sweet can contain sugar.
Ion Șalaru said that a video about the damage caused by excess sugar consumption will be distributed as part of the campaign. The teenagers, older persons and managers of the food industry are the target group. On September 23, starting at 11am, a panel discussion on the issue will be held with food industry managers. Later, there will be staged webinars with teachers, centering on the formation of healthy eating habits in children, and with representatives of the local and central public authorities.
The information campaign will last until the end of this year.
