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Mankai plant helps reduce sugar levels

• Early-life sugar restrictions can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, according to a recent study.
• The study suggests that a low-sugar diet could extend life expectancy and improve quality of life.
• Policymakers are urged to regulate the marketing and tax sugary foods targeted at kids.
• The study emphasizes the importance of early dietary interventions to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

The recent study led by US and Canadian researchers has brought to light the lifelong health effects of early-life sugar consumption. The research emphasizes the importance of limiting sugar intake from an early age to prevent chronic diseases in adulthood. The study, published in the journal Science, revealed that children who had sugar restrictions during their first 1,000 days after conception had up to 35% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the risk of hypertension in adulthood could also be reduced by as much as 20%.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no added sugars for children under two and not more than 12 teaspoons (50g) of added sugar daily for adults. The study found that exposure to sugar restrictions in utero alone was enough to lower risks, but disease protection increased postnatally once solids were likely introduced. The researchers from McGill University in Montreal and the University of California, Berkeley, who examined how sugar rationing during World War II influenced long-term health outcomes, suggested that following a low-sugar diet could save costs, extend life expectancy, and improve the quality of life.

The Global Impact of Chronic Diseases

Diabetes and hypertension are the most common non-communicable diseases driving a significant health burden across the globe. Earlier diagnosis of diabetes means significantly shorter life expectancy, with every decade earlier that a diagnosis of diabetes is made cutting three to four years off of life expectancy. These numbers underscore the value of early interventions that could delay or prevent this disease.

However, adjusting child sugar consumption is not easy as added sugar is everywhere, even in baby and toddler foods. The researchers called on policymakers to hold food companies accountable to reformulate baby foods with healthier options and regulate the marketing and tax sugary foods targeted at kids.

In addition to the impact of sugar consumption, other factors such as lifestyle and socioeconomic status also play a significant role in the prevalence of chronic diseases. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, unhealthy dietary habits characterized by a high intake of food rich in sodium and fewer fruits and vegetables as primary sources of potassium are reported drivers of hypertension prevalence. Socioeconomic inequality is a critical driver for poor nutrition, with malnutrition remaining a critical area for intervention in the region.

Chronic Diseases and Aging

Furthermore, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among older adults in India is higher among women than men. Traditional gendered roles and socioeconomic inequities contribute to elderly women's higher predisposition to these diseases. The current prevalence rate for older adult women is 62 per 1,000; for men, it is 36 per 1,000.

In the U.S., at least 6 in 10 adults could be affected by cardiovascular disease within the next 30 years, according to two new science reports. The projected rise in heart disease and stroke, along with several key risk factors, including high blood pressure and obesity, is likely to triple related costs to $1.8 trillion by 2050.