In Nigeria, local sugar consumption has grown by 94% in the past two decades.
Graciously, Nigeria has been ranked 147th within the group of 165 countries we follow in terms of sugar consumption per capita.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).
Here are four signs that you may be consuming too much sugar and need to adjust your diet;
- If you’re gaining weight and always feel hungry this could be a sign that you’re consuming too much sugar. The body burns through sugar quicker than it burns through protein. While sugary foods might satisfy your taste buds they won’t satisfy your appetite.
- If you regularly feel hangry then you could be consuming too much high-sugar, processed food. Food that is high in sugar causes blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, which can make people feel tired and irritable.
- Foods that are high in sugar can also cause acne around the mouth and jawline.
- Consuming too much sugar can decrease the good bacteria in your gut and allow harmful bacteria to thrive. As a result of this, people with a high-sugar diet may have issues with digestion.
The WHO guideline does not refer to the sugars in fresh fruits and vegetables, and sugars naturally present in milk, because there is no reported evidence of adverse effects of consuming these sugars.
Chinedum Anayo