The not-so-sugary drink: What are the ill Effects of Sugary Drink Relating to
Diabetes
There
is a fascination with sugary drinks in every nook and corner of the country. Be
it young or old, everyone has a craze about the drinks. Despite many studies
and doctors commenting on the ill effects of sugary drinks, it has slowly
become a health hazard for the larger masses.
Sugar-sweetened
fizzy drinks, including packaged ones, are popular drinks consumed in large
numbers. Not only these, diet teas, sugar-free gums, sugar-free energy drinks,
and diet lemonade drink mixes also pose cascading effects on one’s health.
Not
going in for a typical dal roti sabzi concept, many are hooked to fast
foods and, with it, a bottle of sugary drinks. There is a misconception that
having fizzy drinks helps to digest the food. Not providing nutritional value
to one’s diet leads to a cascading effect on health.
Effects
Danger
lurks with the consumption of these drinks. Recent reports suggest that these
drinks lead to liver cancer, with one who consumes at least one sugar-sweetened
beverage having an 85 percent chance of developing liver cancer. Though this is
a matter of debate, the circumstances of one acquiring cancer in the long run
prevail. This apart, options for weight gain, obesity, and diabetes exist.
India, known to be the diabetes capital of the world, needs to think about the
consumption of sugary drinks. The high sugar content in the drinks also affects
the teeth, leading to decay and cavities, heart diseases, bone health, etc.
Manifold risks are associated with the consumption of particular beverages, and
studies by various organizations delve deep into the health crisis.
What does the study say?
Aspartame, an
artificial non-saccharide sweetener 200 times sweeter than sucrose, is commonly
used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages. IARC, the International
Agency for Research on Cancer, particularly the cancer agency of the World
Health Organization, has declared aspartame may be a possible carcinogenic
hazard to humans. Other surveys across various places in India suggest that
many Indians consume foods with this low-calorie, popular artificial sweetener.
However,
WHO also went on to state that aspartame is safe in limited quantities, and
there is a need for more investigations on its classification. Aspartame is
also recognized as a tabletop sweetener, which is marketed as a suitable option
for people looking for ‘diet,’ ‘zero sugar’ or ‘no’ or ‘low-calorie’
alternatives.
What does the future behold?
The
craze for sugary drinks is going to be there. Unless the health hazards of
these drinks are put to the fore by the health department, the day is not far
when India will have a larger population suffering from various diseases
associated with having the drinks.
Looking
at the health hazards, the onus lies on consumers on whether to continue to
consume sugary drinks or keep away from the drinks.
