Why is it necessary that the US put restrictions on Sugar consumption?
Sugar occurs naturally in foods such as carbohydrates, vitamins, and proteins, but manufacturers have also resorted to producing artificial sugars to enhance the flavors of their products. The prevalence of sugar in different consumables exposes consumers to varying threats as they cannot effectively monitor their diets. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that daily, women and men should not consume more than six and nine tablespoons of sugar, respectively. The presence of sugar in different food items Americans consume results in their consumption of an estimated 82 kilograms of the product annually. The excess consumption of sugars by Americans contributes to the higher prevalence of health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions than the consumers in countries that have imposed limitations on sugar consumption.
Dangers of Sugar Consumption
The debate concerning the dangers of sugar consumption has elicited different arguments among professionals and policymakers. Some contend that sugar consumption is a danger to the welfare of consumers as it is the leading cause of diseases among society members. It was mentioned that sugar is a dangerous compound like tobacco and ethanol, and researchers have extended the debate through extensive publications and compiled scientific reports. Different studies have assessed sugar consumption from different theoretical perspectives and concluded that it harms consumers’ welfare. Barber argues that the dangers of sugar on individuals’ well-being require interventions by the government, as evidenced by the case of American authority’s initiative during World War II. During the Second World War, the American government resorted to regulating the sugar in Americans’ diets to shield them from the adverse effects on life.
My research explains that sugar consumption leads to the rise of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and acne. Type 2 diabetes emanates from the excessive consumption of sugars through one’s diet, thereby causing insulin resistance. In overcoming the threats of type 2 diabetes, it is prudent to lower the consumption of sugars in one’s diabetes. Still, excess consumption of sugar leads to an increase in the presence of fructose in the consumers’ blood. Fructose inhibits the production of leptin, an essential hormone controlling the urge to eat. A decrease in leptin production leads to frequent eating, increasing body weight, and obesity. The prevalence of obesity among Americans has increased with the rise in fast-food restaurants. Fast-food restaurants increase consumers’ access to sugary products, worsening their ability to mitigate the condition.
Imposing Restrictions on Sugar Consumption
Countries such as the UK have taken far-reaching measures to mitigate sugar’s adverse impacts on citizens’ health. Since yogurt contributes to 5.5 % of free sugar intake among kids aged between 4 to 10 years, England initiated measures to restrict yogurt consumption. The measures to control free sugar consumption through yogurt were multipronged approaches that involved increased levies and structured reformulation. Implementing the restrictive measures helped to lower the cases of obesity among children by half. The significant reduction in the cases of obesity or overweight among children in the UK reflects the improved health conditions that emanate from regulating sugar consumption among the citizens. After implementing restrictive policies to reduce sugar intake, there was a 23% reduction in yogurt products in the market. The decline of yogurt products in the market is critical for reducing the exposure to harmful sugar content to consumers.
Contrary to the UK’s case, the US continues to experience adverse health concerns due to increased sugar intake among consumers. The consumption of fructose among Americans has increased the cases of obesity in the country, thereby impeding the country’s concerns for enhancing the welfare of its citizens. Besides obesity and overweight among consumers, excessive sugar intake leads to the emergence of skin diseases such as acne. Although skin wrinkles are common in individuals, especially during aging, this research argues that their earlier onset results from excessive sugar intake. Still, there is scientific proof that sugar intake leads to high cholesterol and triglycerides that cause cardiovascular infections. For instance, many Americans have plaques in their blood vessels depicting their excessive sugar intake as harmful.
Although excessive sugar intake is hazardous to the welfare of Americans by causing health conditions such as diabetes and obesity, critics argue that it is improper for the US to impose restrictions on its consumption. From the moral principles, individuals must care for their lives. Specifically, from a neoliberal perspective, individuals have a responsibility to care for their lives. Therefore, it is inappropriate for the government to formulate policies restricting individuals’ consumption choices. However, the government must safeguard citizens’ well-being, and imposing policies to eliminate their exposure to dangers will be appropriate.
To curb the higher prevalence of health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions, the US should restrict sugar consumption, as other countries have. The increased rates of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes lead to increased mortality rates among Americans. Obesity emanates from the suppression of hormones that influence eating behavior, while diabetes develops due to insulin resistance. Contrary to countries such as the UK, which have implemented policies to control exposure to excess sugar in foods, the US experiences a higher risk of health conditions, worsening the citizens’ welfare. Therefore, it is appropriate for the US to impose restrictions on sugar consumption.