<
https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-south-africas-levy-on-sugar-sweetened-drinks-is-having-an-impact-158320>
"Research shows that excess sugar, particularly in liquid form, is a major
cause of obesity and is a risk factor for diseases like type 2 diabetes,
hypertension, heart disease, many common cancers and tooth decay. Recognising
this danger, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that
individuals should consume no more than 10% of total calories from added sugar,
and preferably less than 5%.
Carbonated sugary drinks play a major role in making these numbers hard to
attain. A 250ml cooldrink contains upwards of 26g of sugar – more than half the
daily recommended limit.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a tidal wave of diet-related noncommunicable diseases,
with rapidly rising intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and other
ultra-processed foods. South Africa, in particular, has a heavy burden of these
noncommunicable diseases.
While other countries in sub-Saharan Africa have levied sugar-sweetened
beverage taxes, South Africa is the first country in the region to evaluate
such a policy.
Our results clearly show positive changes that could offer useful public health
gains across the region. The reductions in sugar from taxable beverage
purchases suggest a potential role for sugar-based taxes more broadly."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
