Hidden sugar in food
Almost all industrially produced foods contain hidden sugar – be it drinks such as iced tea or savory foods such as sausage. Sugar not only provides unwelcome calories, but it is known that it can also damage teeth.
Manufacturers also advertise special products for children. It is worth taking a look at the nutritional value table. Because it indicates the total sugar content of a food product. From the 13. December 2016, manufacturers must print the nutrition table on the packaging.
Many names – much confusion. The nutritional value table is from 13. December 2016 mandatory and now brings clarity to the confusion of terms with sugar. Here, the manufacturer must add up all the types of sugar used and indicate the total sugar content of a food in grams.
Since the indication always refers to 100g resp. 100ml of a food product, the consumer can directly compare different products with each other.
Many soft drinks are too sweet
A recent market study concluded that soft drinks with added sugar contain an average of about six sugar cubes per 250 ml glass. Although the German Nutrition Society recommends covering fluid requirements with water and other low-energy drinks.
Nevertheless, sugary drinks are very much in vogue: children, teenagers and young adults drink an average of more than two glasses of sugary drinks per day. So on average, they consume twice as much sugar each day from soft drinks alone as the World Health Organization recommends.
Hidden sugar – Look closely at children’s products
The desire for sweets is innate and can be reinforced by appropriate dietary behavior. Therefore children love gummy bears, chocolate, cookies & Co..
Foods offered specifically for children, such as yogurt or rusks, often contain more hidden sugar than conventional products. The danger: children get used to the sweet taste of products with added sugar.
The rapid rise in blood sugar is perceived in the brain as a reward. Naturally sweet products such as fruit are then eaten less readily. The good thing is that if children are offered less sugar, they will be satisfied with less sweets within weeks.
Even savory foods often contain sweets
Many foods – including savory ones – contain hidden sugars. Because it is used in production not only because of its taste. It also binds water, preserves, gives structure and has a flavor-enhancing effect. And it is inexpensive.
Therefore, even foods that do not taste sweet, such as sausage or pickles, contain sugar. This hidden sugar is revealed in the nutritional value table.
Free patient information on dental care and nutrition
The proDente initiative offers a brochure on the subject of “Dental care and nutrition. Interested patients can obtain the magazine free of charge by calling 01805-55 22 55 or by visiting www.prodente.de in the service area. Dentists and dental technicians can order 100 copies of the magazine free of charge from the trade visitor pages at www.prodente.de or by calling the order hotline on 01805-55 22 55.
Initiative proDente e.V. – Facts
Five associations representing the entire range of dental services in Germany are involved in the Initiative proDente e.V.:
– The German Dental Association (BZÄK),
– The Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ),
– The Association of German Dental Technicians Guilds (VDZI),
– The Association of the German Dental Industry (VDDI),
and the German Dental Trade Association (BVD).
Why this initiative?
proDente has set itself the goal of imparting sound specialist knowledge in the fields of dentistry and dental technology. The initiative aims to provide dedicated patient education in support of dentists and dental technicians.
proDente wants to present the value of healthy and beautiful teeth. Above all, the educational work from prophylaxis to prosthetics is the focus of attention. For dentists and dental technicians, proDente presents a comprehensive range of services to facilitate communication with patients.
Activities
proDente produces scientifically based information material in a comprehensible format. This includes the information brochure “Teeth good – everything good” as well as numerous other magazines, flyers and leaflets on special areas of dentistry. The range of topics is regularly expanded. On the Internet, proDente is present with an information portal (www.proDente.de).
Office
Dirk Kropp, Managing Director Public Relations, is the contact person for all questions concerning proDente’s public relations. The office is located in Cologne.
