Facts about sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and obesity in South Africa
South Africans consume between 12 and 24 teaspoons of sugar per day - four to eight teaspoons are from SSBs.
Sugar content of SSBs
- Average amount of sugar in a single 330ml carbonated beverage = 8 teaspoons
- Average amount of sugar in a single 330ml fruit juice = 9 teaspoons
- WHO guidelines suggests a total limit of 6 teaspoons of sugar/day
Harmful effects of SSBs
- Children who frequently consume SSBs are at high risk for dental caries
- Drinking just one SSB a day increases an adult’s likelihood of being overweight by 27%
- Drinking just one SSB a day increases a child’s likelihood of being overweight by 55%
- Drinking one or two SSBs a day increases the risk of developing type II diabetes by 25%
- People who consume one SSB per day are 30% more likely to die from a heart attack
- Drinking SSBs daily for just two weeks increases blood fat levels by 20%
- After six months, daily consumption of SSBs doubles the fat deposits in the liver and contributes to diabetes and heart disease
How are SSBs different to other sugars?
- Liquid sugar is particularly harmful
- Liquid sugar is absorbed in 30 minutes causing a spike in blood sugar
- These spikes lead to sugar changing into fat in the liver and contributing to the development of diabetes and heart disease
- Calories from SSBs do not leave one feeling full unlike calories from food or milk
- SSBs add to calories consumed
- SSBs have no nutritional value
Obesity and disease
- Excess sugar consumption is associated with weight gain
- South Africa has the biggest rate of obesity in sub-Saharan Africa
- 7 out of 10 women above age 35 are overweight
- 4 out of 10 men above age 35 are overweight
- 1 out of 5 teenage girls are overweight
- Overweight and obesity increase by four to eight times the risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and cancer
- Obesity-related diseases are among the top 10 causes of death – this prevalence is only rivalled by HIV/AIDS