By: Kristiana Lalou, NutritionInsight
Experts discuss the importance of monitoring devices, sugar reduction, tailored nutrition and ingredients such as resveratrol
14 Nov 2019 — Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are seeing high occurrence, with hectic lifestyles and unhealthy nutritional habits contributing to the rise. An estimated 30.3 million people have diabetes globally, according to data from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), while roughly 7.2 million adults are undiagnosed. In light of World Diabetes Day 2019, happening today, NutritionInsight speaks with experts on ways to tackle the issue. Prevention may be the key, with industry trends such as sugar reduction and personalized nutrition at the center.
Aside from a genetic predisposition, obesity and a high consumption of sugary foods and drinks are contributing to the prevalence of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Research has previously flagged that unless industry and consumers alike change the way they operate, diabetes will continue to pose a threat to health. This has led to the major industry trend of sugar reduction with an array of alternative sweeteners coming to the fore to provide a solution.
“Blood sugar levels must be kept within a narrow range to maintain healthy bodily functions. Insulin and glucagon are the main hormones allowing this regulation, and a balanced lifestyle is key for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Age and other factors can cause the body to reduce its ability to use insulin properly, leading to an increase of blood glucose levels. The challenge is to act before a potential onset of diabetes, as prolonged imbalanced glucose levels can dramatically reduce one’s quality of life,” notes Johannes Haerle, Senior Technical Manager at Evolva.