India's fabled sweet tooth begins to fade

diabetes burden of 100 million after China, and another 136 million in the pre-diabetes stage. A high sugar intake is associated with type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and other metabolic health risks.Until the covid-19 pandemic, sugar consumption grew at an annual rate of about 4.1%, said Prakash P.

Naiknavare, managing director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd, the apex body representing cooperative sugar mills across India. "In the post-pandemic period, growth slowed significantly to around 2.1%.

Over the past few years, consumption has largely stagnated, indicating that sugar demand has now reached a plateau. Sugar consumption is likely to be around 28.5 million tonnes in 2025-26, after which it could begin to decline, as consumers shift to alternatives such as stevia,” Naiknavare added.Many sugar-conscious consumers turn to natural sources of sweetness such as jaggery, dates and fruit-derived sugars, which are considered healthier options.While declining demand does not bode well for sugarcane farmers and mills, healthcare professionals welcome the development, attributing it to rising health awareness.“The younger population is more fitness-conscious now and monitors its sugar intake.

Having said that, people are using alternatives to sugar, including artificial sweeteners. However, artificial sweeteners, when consumed in excess, can have harmful effects and have been linked to cancer in certain situations,” said Dr.

Niranjan Hiremath, senior consultant in cardiovascular and aortic surgery at Apollo Hospital, Bangalore.From a public health perspective, the development is positive and necessary, said Dr. Monashis Sahu, a Delhi-based endocrinologist."Rising awareness about