○Problem Statement
Food manufacturers promote products with added sugar to improve taste and shelf life. Busy lifestyles often lead people to skip meals or have irregular sleep schedules, causing blood sugar fluctuations that trigger cravings for quick sources of glucose. At the same time, unhealthy eating habits among young people have increased the consumption of sugary and junk foods, often exceeding the amount of physical activity they perform.
○Psychology of Sugar Cravings
Sugar fuels every cell in the brain, which also perceives it as a reward. Frequent consumption strengthens this reward system, making cravings harder to resist. Some people consume sugary foods in unhealthy ways, even though it may not qualify as a true addiction.
○Changing Eating Trends
Today, shops selling chips, soft drinks, candies, and other unhealthy snacks are common. A few decades ago, healthier snacks such as roasted gram and peanuts were more widely consumed. As a result, healthy snacking habits have steadily declined.
○Misleading Marketing Claims
Many MNCs, promote their chyawanprash and other ayurvedic products being formulated with jaggery instead of refined sugar, claiming that it prevents blood sugar spikes. While jaggery contains more micronutrients than refined sugar, both of them contain calories and can contribute to blood sugar spikes. This contradiction has been highlighted by various health experts.
○Impact on Health
Excessive sugar consumption contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Frequent intake causes blood sugar spikes, and when insulin cannot effectively regulate glucose, diabetes may develop. Excess glucose is also converted into fat, increasing the risk of obesity.
According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, 11.4% of Indian adults (about 101 million people) have diabetes, while 15.3% are pre-diabetic. The study also found that 28.6% of adults are obese. These figures highlight the urgent need to reduce added sugar consumption and adopt healthier dietary habits.