Sugar: What is it and how to cut down on its intake

The world has declared a time-out on sugar consumption. The harmful link between disease and dietary sugar was recently outlined in a comprehensive assessment of published studies.

Recognising this link between widely consumed food and disease is essential in marshalling forces to change harmful outcomes. These include coronary heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and some cancers. For over a decade, my research has focused on the mechanisms by which fructose intake plays into disease.

A growing number of African countries have joined the worldwide efforts to reduce sugar intake. For instance, in an attempt to address obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, South Africa introduced a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks in 2018.

It’s hard to avoid sugar when it’s become a normal part of diets and when we celebrate special times with sweet treats. But being more aware of what sugar is and how it can affect our health is the first step.

What is sugar

Sugar is a class of naturally occurring sweet-tasting molecules found in fruits, vegetables, plants and the milk of mammals. It can be extracted from these natural sources and concentrated in processed foods.

The sweet-tasting molecules in sucrose (table sugar) are glucose and fructose.

Sucrose is a disaccharide. This is a molecule made of two simple sugars – glucose and fructose – in a...

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