From breakfast cereals to flavoured drinks, sugar has seeped into almost every processed food in the market, even the baby's diet.
Sugar in a baby's diet can begin a series of health concerns in multiple ways.(Generative AI by Vani Gupta/India Today)
We all remember the nursery rhyme "Johnny Johnny Yes Papa" about a child who gets caught eating sugar by his father. As innocent as it was, the rhyme has more meaning than we ever could have thought.
Sugar is one of the most controversial yet important ingredients that has been part of manufactured products since the 1970s. From breakfast cereals to flavoured drinks, sugar has seeped into almost every processed food in the market.
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But why is sugar added to manufactured food items like energy drinks or even baby formulas?
WHY IS SUGAR ADDED TO HEALTH DRINKS?
Experts believe that sugar or sucrose, made up of glucose and fructose, which is extracted from crushed sugarcane or beets, is used for its functional properties.
This means it helps in enhancing the flavour of the product, its sweetness, improving mouthfeel and texture, colour formation, fermentation and preservation.
Although there's a daily limit to our sugar intake, indulging in these manufactured products increases the risks of several detrimental health illnesses.
The worst part is: sugar is addictive. You can't stop at one. Manufacturers often sell this idea to increase their sales and produce more products with higher percentages of sugar.
The recent Nestle controversy involving high amounts of sugar in baby formula like Cerelac, brought to light the devastating impact of this saccharine seduction on infants, especially children below the age of 2.
While sugar content varied in Cerelac products from country to country, a study found higher amounts of sugar in the Nestle items sold in low to middle-income countries and high-income countries.
FINDING SUGAR
Last year, social media influencer Revant Himatsingka, known as Food Fharmer on Instagram, pointed out the excessive amounts of sugar in products like Bournvita, sold as health supplements for children.
Following the incident, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) concluded that there is no 'health drink' category defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
While experts recommend a daily sugar limit of fewer than 6 teaspoons or 24 grams per day for children ages 2 to 18, those below 2 should avoid it. 
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However, most manufactured items, without us knowing, often contain a high sugar percentage.
"Sweetness might seem innocent, but when it comes to infant health, sugar isn't the sweetest deal," said Sumaira Quazi, Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Sleep Specialist, SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore.
A SILENT HEALTH CRISIS
Sugar in a baby's diet can begin a series of health concerns in multiple ways.
"Tooth decay often sets in early in babies who have been exposed to sugar, while overconsumption from an early age may cause them to put on excess weight quickly," said Dr Quazi.
Research shows that high sugar intake in early life drives hunger and exaggerates appetite, making infants more likely to develop chronic diseases, such as diabetes, later on.
Dr Quazi added that the consequences of babies being overfed sugar are far-reaching. They get highly predisposed to "dislike bitter tastes".
This may translate into a preference for sweet foods over the long run. Other taste heritages are also affected, she said.
"This applies particularly to salt intake, which influences weight, and fat, which affects the heart. Feeding babies with sugar, increases the craving for these foods. Excess sugar can also deprive babies of key vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development," Dr Quazi said.
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Dietitian Saheli Biswas, from Kauvery Hospitals Bangalore, said that from the time of breastfeeding if we feed babies "sweet food" they get addicted to sugary items very early in life.
"Make homemade cereals instead. Add nutritious pulses in them," Biswas said.
The expert added, "Suppose your baby isn't eating at all or your baby is undernourished, then you can add supplements (health drink) to their diet. But if you feel that your baby is consuming adequate food and also baby is well nourished then there is no point in giving health drinks."
Dr Anjana Hulse, Consultant, Pediatrics Endocrinology, Apollo BG Road, Bangalore, told IndiaToday.in with the obesity epidemic striking Indian children, sugar in foods should be avoided, at least during childhood.
"Obesity in children is on the rise and it is like a ticking time bomb. These days, we are seeing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOD and many other lifestyle-related problems in very young children," said Dr Anjana Hulse.
DO KIDS NEED SUGAR?
Parents give their infants commercially available preparations as it is easy to prepare and give to the babies. But it is "not necessary to go for commercial food products."
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Dr Hulse said, "Several types of infant food can be prepared sourced from natural grains, pulses and millets such as ragi, rice and daal. Fruit and vegetable puree also can be given to infants as a rich source of micronutrients."
In the end, doctors urge parents not to rely on market-bought health products for their children as "they just provide flavour."
If you need to make your baby's food sweet, use natural sweeteners such as fruits and dates in the food, the experts said. Most of the food we eat anyway contains sugar. So, there's no need for "added sugar."
After all, Johnny has to stay fit and not lie about eating sugar.
Published By:
Daphne Clarance
Published On:
Apr 22, 2024
