The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which oversees Indias National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), has made a substantial proposal to change dietary standards in an effort to address the high sugar content in packaged foods and beverages. This is a first for the nation and takes the place of the prior 13-year emphasis on calorie thresholds.NIN committee says The updated recommendations, which were created by a NIN expert committee, place precise restrictions on sugar content. The recommended threshold for added sugar in solid foods is approximately 5% of total energy consumption, with a maximum of 10% coming from all sugars (including naturally occurring ones). Beverages & sugarThe proposed threshold for beverages is 10% of calorie consumption from added sugar and a maximum of 30% from total sugars (including natural sugars found in milk and fruit juices). This is a stricter limit than it is for food. This change in emphasis from calories to sugar content is a reflection of growing worries about the detrimental effects of high sugar consumption on health. If put into effect, the suggested criteria might have a big effect on how much sugar is in packaged goods sold in India.Doc breaks it downAs per Dr. Babina NM, Chief Medical Officer at Jindal Naturecure Institute, if this shift is implemented over time, it might potentially lead to a reduction in sugar consumption and encourage healthier eating habits. She continued by saying that this action also increases peoples knowledge of the amount of sugar in food, enticing them to carefully read labels and make informed choices.Foods that are packaged have a wide range of sugar contents. Candy and soft drinks are two examples of products that may have a very high added sugar content. For example, one can of soda has roughly 39 grams, or about 10 teaspoons, of sugar, Dr. Babina said giving an example.She continued, Products like breads, sauces, and snacks—a category of commodities not normally associated with sweetness—can contain significant levels of hidden sugars. Unbeknownst to the customers, these hidden sugars add to the overall intake of sugar. This alteration may help to improve long-term health outcomes by reducing sugar cravings and the overindulgence in meals high in sugar.What health effects do sugars in packaged goods haveAccording to Dr. Babina, sugars in packaged foods can be bad for you in a lot of ways. Elevated consumption of sugar has been linked to dental problems, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Overindulging in sugar can also worsen metabolic syndrome, an increased risk factor for stroke and liver disease. In a conversation, she stated that high-sugar diets can also cause energy spikes and crashes, which can affect mood and overall energy levels.
