KARACHI: Health experts have raised serious concerns over the rising consumption of hidden sugar in everyday foods, warning that this concealed sweetness is significantly increasing the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and liver disorders.
According to specialists, the real danger is not the sugar people intentionally avoid, but the amount they unknowingly consume through foods marketed as “healthy” or “natural.”
Renowned diabetologist Dr. Saif ul Haq said that the rising consumption of hidden sugar has become a “silent epidemic,” particularly in urban populations where its intake is notably higher. He added that many patients believe they consume very little sugar, while in reality, packaged foods, flavored products, and beverages expose them to far more sugar than the safe daily limits.
Research shows that individuals who obtain nearly 25 percent of their daily calories from added sugars face twice the risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who keep their intake below 10 percent. Experts emphasize that these dangers persist regardless of age, weight, or physical activity, indicating that high sugar intake directly harms the body.
Doctors explain that excessive sugar stiffens arteries, increases harmful fats in the blood, triggers inflammation, and weakens the heart muscles—all of which raise the likelihood of life-threatening cardiac events. Overconsumption of sugar also disrupts the body’s insulin response, leading to type 2 diabetes, while excess fructose in the liver causes fat buildup, resulting in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Dr. Saif ul Haq added that most people remain unaware of how much sugar they actually consume. Items such as flavored yogurt, breakfast cereals, bread, sauces, chutneys, packaged juices, and sports drinks—even those labeled “low-fat” or “natural”—often contain large amounts of added sugar to enhance taste and shelf life.
According to the American Heart Association, the recommended daily limit for added sugar is 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. However, nutrition experts warn that current eating habits cause most people to unintentionally exceed these limits.
Dietitians advise consumers to read food labels carefully and recognize sugar by its various names, such as fructose, dextrose, maltose, corn syrup, honey, and molasses. They recommend choosing plain yogurt, unsweetened cereals, and minimally processed foods to reduce long-term health risks.
Experts caution that if the issue of hidden sugar is not addressed soon, the coming years could see a sharp rise in heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.