Academics have claimed that sugar has now become as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco. When overeaten sugar can also cause major health problems including heart disease, stroke and tooth decay so it is extremely important to make sure you are aware of how much you are consuming.
One in four adults in England are obese and these figures are set to climb to 60 per cent of men, 50 per cent of women and 25 per cent of children by 2050. Three in every 10 children aged between two and 15 are overweight or obese.
Although sugary drinks are known to be a problem scientists say many people are unaware that flavoured waters, soups, ketchup and ready meals also contain large amounts of hidden sugars.
Sugar is found in a variety of different types of processed foods and drinks and most people eat more than they need. Sugar is used to sweeten foods and to extend shelf life by slowing the growth of bacteria.
Sugar provides a rapid burst of energy that our bodies are able to use quickly. The effects of sugar fade fast and can leave you craving more to get another burst of energy.
Too much sugar can make you prone to becoming overweight, as sugary foods tend to be relatively high in calories, particularly if they are fatty like cakes, biscuits, chocolate and pastries. Having frequent sugary snacks and drinks can lead to tooth decay.
Where is sugar found?
Sugar is found in foods like fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes and biscuits.
How to reduce the amount of sugar in our diets:
- Use artificial sweeteners or a sugar substitute in hot drinks
- Cut down on sugary snacks and have a piece of fruit instead
- Choose reduced sugar products
- Choose tinned fruit in natural juice instead of syrup