According to a study of Google searches in the Philippines, people have literally been craving a sweet escape from the lockdown blues.
Since the start of the pandemic, e-commerce aggregator iPrice reported that the country’s interest in chocolates and other confections has rocketed.
The study recorded the monthly average of Google searches for chocolate treats in 2020 grew by ninety one percent when compared to the same period in 2019.
Whether this translated into increased consumption is not yet known, but it would not be good news if it did given the links between sugary products and diabetes and its comorbidities.
The World Health Organisation recommends adults and children should reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10 percent of their total energy intake. A further reduction to below five percent, or roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day would provide additional health benefits.
Advocacy Action: How widespread is information on the added sugars contained in sweets and confectionary in your country and the WHO recommended intake? Could it be improved with Government support, or by working with a diabetes, heart, stroke or other comorbidity NGO?