Tet is here, and the demand for food and beverages spikes. Among these, sugary drinks are often prioritized for entertaining guests or enjoying during the holiday. However, overusing these products not only causes harm but also poses serious health risks.
Health Risks of Sugary Drinks
According to Dr. Nguyen Tuan Lam, a specialist from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, frequent consumption of sugary drinks leads to numerous health issues. Excessive intake of sugar converts unused energy into fat, increasing the risk of obesity and overweight.
Sugary drinks are one of the main culprits behind obesity and related diseases.
Liquid sugars in drinks are absorbed directly into the bloodstream faster than solid sugars, causing the body to fail to recognize the calories consumed. This results in excessive calorie intake, leading to caloric surplus and fat accumulation in the liver and other parts of the body.
Additionally, fructose—a common component in sugary drinks—increases triglycerides (neutral fats), hinders glucose metabolism, and raises the risk of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, dental cavities, and even colorectal cancer.
People who consume two cans of sugary drinks daily have twice the risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to those with lower consumption. Furthermore, excessive consumption negatively impacts reproductive health and bone joint health.
The Consumption of Sugary Drinks in Vietnam
According to Euromonitor 2023 data, the total consumption of sugary beverages in Vietnam has quadrupled from 2009 to 2023, reaching 6.67 billion liters. On average, each Vietnamese consumes about 46.5g of free sugars per day, nearly equaling the maximum limit (50g/day) and double the WHO recommendation (below 25g/day).
Special consumption taxes are considered an effective way to reduce sugary drink consumption.
Ms. Dinh Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that imposing special consumption taxes on sugary drinks is essential to reduce the risk of obesity, overweight, and related non-communicable diseases. Currently, 117 countries worldwide have implemented this policy, with 104 of them applying it nationally.
Research evidence shows that special consumption taxes significantly reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. In the UK, this policy prevented over 19,000 cases of type 2 diabetes and reduced nearly 270,000 cases of tooth decay annually. In Vietnam, a 20% tax on retail prices could reduce obesity rates by 2% and overweight rates by 1.5%, saving approximately $24.55 million in healthcare costs.
Solutions to Mitigate Harm from Sugary Drinks
The WHO recommends that Vietnam gradually increase the special consumption tax rate to 40% of the factory price by 2030. This not only helps reduce affordability for sugary drinks but also contributes to reversing the increasing trend in consumption.
Moreover, raising public awareness about the dangers of sugary drinks is crucial. People should proactively change their consumption habits and choose healthier options like water, unsweetened tea, or natural fruit juices.
Conclusion
While it’s hard to avoid sugary drinks during Tet, they must be consumed cautiously to protect personal and family health. Implementing measures such as increasing special consumption taxes and enhancing public awareness can help mitigate the harmful effects of these drinks. Start with small changes to build a healthier lifestyle!
Source: dantri.com.vn
