Indonesia's Highest Consumption of Sweetened Beverages in Asia, A Threat to Diabetes Mellitus

BOGOR - This trend has sparked serious concerns about the explosion of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes mellitus due to sugar intake exceeding the safe threshold.

Lecturer at the Department of Public Nutrition, FKGiz IPB University, Dr. Zuraidah Nasution, revealed that data from the Ministry of Health showed that the average intake of sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages alone had reached 50 percent of the daily allowance. Meanwhile, the safe limit for sugar consumption is only 10 percent of the total daily energy needs, or equivalent to four tablespoons per day.

"The recommended daily intake of sugar is around 10 percent of daily energy needs. If the average energy requirement is 2,000 kilocalories, then about 50 grams of sugar or the equivalent of four tablespoons," said Zuraidah in the IPB Podcast program on the IPB TV YouTube channel, Monday, March 30, 2026.

Zuraidah highlighted the massive access to ready-to-drink beverages such as sweet tea, boba, and trendy coffee which often do not list sugar content information transparently. This condition is exacerbated by consumption patterns that are formed from an early age. He reminded that the burden of sugar from drinks is often not realized by the community because of its liquid form.

"Imagine, 50 percent is only from drinks. Not from food or other processed products that also contain added sugar," he said.

As a preventive measure, Zuraidah urges parents to more closely monitor their children's nutritional intake, including by not getting used to stocking sugary drinks at home. He emphasized the importance of reading the nutrition label before buying packaged products in order to break the chain of dependence on sweetness from an early age.

"In simple terms, we can reduce the possibility of children becoming dependent on sweetened beverages. For example, by not stocking sugary drinks at home or inviting children to choose drinks with lower sugar content," explained Zuraidah.

Even though the danger alarm has sounded, he said it does not mean that people have to be hostile to sugar completely, but they must be smarter in managing daily portions. "It does not mean that it should not be at all, but we who regulate. Limit the amount, pay attention to the total sugar consumed in a day, and balance it with a healthy lifestyle," he concluded.