Information campaign on need to reduce sugar consumption launched in Chisinau

Chisinau, 22 September /MOLDPRES/- The Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Public Health today launched a campaign -Reduce sugar, choose what you eat! which aims to inform people about the need to reduce sugar consumption and encourages them to follow a healthy diet.

Present at the launch event of the campaign, the head of the Public Health Policy Department of the Ministry of Health, Daniela Demișcan, mentioned that excessive sugar consumption is a public health problem that worries governments around the world and in Moldova.

“The World Health Organization proposes reducing sugar intake to less than 10% of energy intake, both for adults and children. At the same time, based on scientific data on the causes of non-communicable diseases, the WHO suggests an additional reduction in sugar below 5%, a maximum of 25 g / day, equivalent to five teaspoons. It is a very important recommendation in the complex of measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases ", said Demișcan.

Experts say that excessive sugar consumption contributes to acne, fatigue and obesity.

According to the study on sugar consumption prepared by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and data from Ukraine, extrapolated to the Republic of Moldova, a Moldovan consumes 5 times more sugar than his body needs. Sugar is added to food and beverages, although it is naturally present in fruits, vegetables and milk. Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of developing diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure  and cardiovascular disease.

ANSP representatives claim that in the top of products with excess sugar are: pastries; sweet and carbonated drinks; yogurt, sweet cheeses, ice cream, tea and coffee in packets; commercial juices and preserves; candies, candies, meringues, gums; bread and breakfast cereals; ketchup, meat and pasta sauces, processed meat and alcoholic beverages.

The information campaign will last four weeks on TV, radio, online press, as wellas on the most popular social platforms in the Republic of Moldova. This is part of the cycle of social communication campaigns on nutrition "Choose what you eat!", carried out with the support of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova.

Photo: agroexpert.md