With an increase in abundant food options in the UAE, concerns about excessive sugar consumption are becoming a health issue. Studies have shown that it can trigger inflammation in fat cells, leading to weight gain and potentially more serious health issues. How can we enjoy life’s pleasures and maintain a healthy lifestyle?
We spoke to Shabnam Shama, a Clinical Dietitian and Lifestyle Nutritionist, and she helped us understand the consequences of sugar addiction. She said, “In the UAE, where social gatherings often revolve around dining options and trendy treats like pistachio chocolates, understanding the impact of sugar on our health is crucial. Sugar addiction refers to a psychological craving for sweet foods, driven by the release of dopamine in our brain— a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward pathways. This release creates a high, making sugary treats hard to resist and encouraging a cycle of continuous consumption.”
Shabnam emphasized that the presence of sugar is not just in obvious sweets, but it hides in many everyday foods under names like glucose, corn syrup, and sucrose, found in items ranging from bread to fat-free yogurt.
She also shed light on the labels that go by the saying ‘fat-free’, etc, and said, “These products often contain high sugar levels or artificial sweeteners, which can be as detrimental as sugar itself.”
More so, we also asked about the repercussions of extreme sugar consumption. She added, “Regular consumption of sugary foods can lead to not only obesity but also to a host of issues like acidity, bloating, gas, brain fog, acne, inflammation, mood swings, and more severe health risks like diabetes, heart disease, and hormonal imbalance.”
Overall, she spoke at length about how this issue is rising in the UAE. “Reducing sugar intake in the GCC, therefore, is about more than avoiding sweets—it’s about making informed choices and reading labels carefully. Cutting back on sugar helps mitigate the risk of chronic diseases and supports overall well-being. Emphasizing a no-sugar diet is essential for promoting a healthier lifestyle across the region and preventing chronic diseases in the future,” she concluded.
