Thread by @hyderabaddoctor

Outcome of sugar reduction strategies for soft drinks

1. A high intake of sugar, in particular from sugar-sweetened soft drinks, increases the risk for #obesity , type 2 #diabetes mellitus, and dental #caries.
#MedTwitter #nutrition #sugar

2. Between 2015 & 2021, the mean sugar content of soft drinks sold in Germany decreased by only 2% from 5.3 to 5.2 g/100 mL, falling short of 9% reduction target. The onus of reducing sugar content was left to the manufacturers of soft drinks.
Ref: doi.org/10.1159/000529…

3. In comparison, in the same period in the UK, the sugar content fell from 5.3 g per 100 mL to 3.8 g per 100 mL (29% reduction).
In 2018, the UK introduced an industry levy on soft drinks to encourage the manufacturers to reduce sugar. This approach has proven highly effective.

4. More than 50 governments worldwide have introduced a levy or tax on sugary drinks.
In India, there is 40% tax on soft drinks (28% GST and 12% compensation cess). However, this has not resulted in decrease in sugar content of soft drinks.

5. Sugar content in brands sold in India is quite high: Coke- 11 g/100 ml; Pepsi- 10.9 g/100 ml; Sprite: 9.8 g/100 ml.
One can (330 ml) of Coke provides 139 calories (in order to burn this, one would need to walk about 2.5 km in 30 minutes).

6. What is the way forward?
In view of rising epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and failure of higher taxes, the need of the hour is to raise awareness among people about the high sugar content in soft drinks and encourage them to stop or reduce their consumption.