Consumption of sugary drinks is a serious health concern in South Africa, with many South Africans unknowingly consuming excessive amounts of sugar through their favorite beverages.
This article takes a deep dive into South Africa's top sugar-sweetened beverage brands, highlighting the need for consumers to make informed choices for their health.
sugar king of beverages
Surprisingly, the crown for sweetest drink goes to Woolworths' Passionade Sparkling Fruit Drink, which boasts a whopping 13.4g of sugar per 100ml. This revelation is extremely important to consumers, especially those who believe that shopping from luxury brands like Woolworths automatically guarantees healthier options.
This is followed by Schweppes Dried Lemon and White Grapetizer, which contain an eyebrow-raising 12.8g and 12.5g of sugar per 100ml respectively. These numbers are alarming given the World Health Organization's recommendation to reduce free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy intake.
Effects of sugar on health
Consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to a variety of health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems.
South Africa faces major public health challenges, with more than a quarter of the population obese and diabetes the second leading cause of death.
The introduction of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) or “sugar tax” in 2018 was a government effort to curb the consumption of sugary drinks and address these health concerns.
Consumer choice and healthier alternatives
Despite the health risks, South Africa's top sugary drinks brands remain a popular choice among consumers. This popularity highlights the importance of raising awareness about the sugar content in these drinks and encouraging the consumption of healthier alternatives.
Choosing low-sugar or sugar-free options, water, or unsweetened tea or coffee will significantly reduce your sugar intake and contribute to improved health.
conclusion
Some of South Africa's popular drinks are high in sugar, a call to action for both consumers and manufacturers.
While HPL has made progress toward reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, continued efforts in education, awareness, and promotion of healthier alternatives are essential.
As consumers become more informed about the sugar content in drinks, they can make better choices for their health by avoiding South Africa's top sugary drink brands, which contribute to South Africa's health burden. It is hoped that this will become possible.
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