The danger of sugar in drinks
New Zealand’s battle of the bulge is getting more intense – and sugar loaded drinks are a key culprit.
Instead of putting water in the picnic basket, too many New Zealanders continue to put the switch from fizzy and fruit juice to plain water in the too hard basket.
Former world champion discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina said that up to 50 people were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand every day.
‘‘We are now seeing children as young as 10 being diagnosed with diabetes, which is devastating,’’ Faumuina said.
‘‘One of the proven contributing factors to this epidemic is sugar- loaded drinks.’’
To encourage healthy drinking habits, Just Water has launched its enhanced water, VitaBlast, in the Wellington region.
Unlike many other socalled health drinks, VitaBlast is Vitamin C enhanced and has no added sugar.
Faumuina, who works with Just Water to help understanding of the danger of sugar- loaded drinks, said many people drank fruit juice for Vitamin C and health benefits.
‘‘ What they are not aware of is that a litre of fruit juice has about 26 teaspoons of naturally occurring sugar.
‘‘As well, where Vitamin C is known to help with the immune system, one teaspoon of sugar will suppress the immune system for up to 40 minutes,’’ she said.