While high sugar intake is usually said to be associated to the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes, researchers have found that it could also lead to the risk of developing breast cancer.
Scientists have stated that high-sugar western diets may increase the risk of breast cancer, as well as possibility of the cancer to spread to the lungs. Common sugar found in aerated drinks, such as Coke, and food such as biscuits, cereal bars and ketchup could also be driving the disease.
As for diabetes, according to new figures, one in five retired people suffer from diabetes. NHS figures reveal that the number of people who have diabetes has surpassed four million, which is costing the NHS an estimate of £10 billion per year.
Chief executive of Diabetes UK, Chris Askew said, “The need to tackle this serious health condition has never been so stark or so urgent. Tragically, we are continuing to see too many people with diabetes suffering serious complications, and even dying before their time.”
It is suggested that annually, about 24,000 people die due to diabetes. If not controlled, diabetes can also lead to amputations, blindness, kidney failure and heart disease.
What also leads to diabetes is obesity. Many Britons, as well as young children who have been deemed as clinically obese due to their poor lifestyle and diet, which in most cases leads to the diagnosis of diabetes and heart conditions. Even after losing weight after being obese or overweight does not guarantee you a long life. According to a study by Professor Samuel Preston, those who manage to bring their weight down to a healthy level are more likely to die an early death.
Public Health England have stated that an average child between the age of four and ten consumes 22kg of sugar a year, which is the equivalent to the weight of an average 5-year-old. These children are at a high risk of diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.
Many behavioural analysis have been made to detect how one might behave during a meal out and their eating habits. According to researchers from Cornell University, New York, and the University of Jena, Germany, diners tend to order more food if their waiter or waitress is overweight. They found that people were four times more likely to order dessert, and 17.65% more alcohol if they were served by someone with a high body mass index (BMI).
Diabetes and obesity are not alien to Britons, nor to the Asian community. At times, due to hectic lifestyle and schedules, we tend to put our health on the backseat in order to keep up with the fast pace of life. It is not merely about being fat, there are a lot of health complications in the long run which worsen as the day goes by. It is essential to put yourself and your wellbeing first in order to be able to provide a long, healthy and fulfilling life for the next generation, for your children.
