(Health): Sugar-sweetened beverages kill; stop patronising them – Nutritionist

Professor of Nutrition at the Department of Family Health and Community Health at the Fred N Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Professor Francis B. Zotor, has urged the public, especially parents with children, to desist from patronizing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

According to Professor Zotor,  sugar-sweetened beverages are liquids that are sweetened with various forms of added sugar like brown and white sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, molasses, raw sugar and many others. He gave the advice during a campaign float along the streets of Ho against sugar-sweetened beverages.

He noted that these beverages are bought everywhere by both the poor and the rich because they are sweet and very affordable but have adverse effects on the society especially children.

“The rich and the poor can afford to purchase and use them. In homes, one can easily wipe the tears of a crying child since SSB readily compensates for that matter. These SSBs are liquids that are sweetened with various forms of added sugars like white or brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose. They usually come in the form of regular soda (not sugar-free), fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, as well as coffee and tea beverages with added sugars,” he said.