Many Young People Are Confused, Diabetes Is Not Only Caused by Excessive Sugar Consumption

JAKARTA - Currently, not a few young people still think that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. This assumption then encourages the trend of choosing foods and drinks labeled less sugar or no sugar as an effort to maintain health.

The choice is indeed considered better than consuming products with high sugar levels. However, is the habit of choosing less sugar drinks really enough to prevent diabetes?

Data shows that diabetes is still a health problem that continues to increase. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) notes that Indonesia is ranked fifth in the world with more than 20 million diabetes sufferers.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 shows that the prevalence of diabetes reaches 11.7 percent in the population aged 15 years and above.

Without early prevention efforts, including through lifestyle changes, the number of people with diabetes is expected to continue to increase.

One of the habits that is often associated with increased sugar consumption in the younger age group is the trend of drinking trendy milk coffee.

In one glass of milk coffee, the sugar content can reach around 25 grams. In fact, the Ministry of Health recommends a daily sugar intake of no more than 50 grams.

So, is changing the order to less sugar or no sugar enough to reduce the risk of diabetes?

The chairman of the Indonesian Diabetes Educators Association (PEDI) dr. Ida Ayu Made Kshanti said that this habit can indeed provide benefits, but it is not the only factor that determines a person's risk of diabetes.

"Drinking less sugar or no sugar milk coffee will certainly have an effect, but is it enough to prevent diabetes? The answer is not necessarily because 'sugar' is not just granulated sugar, carbohydrates and some other ingredients are also sugar," said dr. Ida in a media discussion event "End-to-End Diabetes Ecosystem" organized by Kalbe in Jakarta, recently.

According to dr. Ida, the public also needs to pay attention to the composition of the drinks consumed. Because, the sugar content is not only from the sugar that is added, but can also come from other ingredients such as milk, cream, and additional flavors.

"Even though it's less sugar, but you have to see what other ingredients are, such as coffee with milk, cream, or what, it's actually calculated (sugar). So it's not that simple," continued dr. Ida.

However, he assessed that choosing drinks with lower sugar content was still a positive step. This habit can help limit daily sugar intake so as to reduce the risk of a spike in blood sugar levels in the long term.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition when blood sugar levels exceed the normal threshold, namely above 180 mg/dL.

This condition occurs because the insulin hormone which functions to regulate blood sugar levels is not produced in sufficient quantities or even not produced at all by the body.

What needs to be aware of, diabetes often develops without clear symptoms. If left untreated, this disease can trigger a variety of serious complications, ranging from heart disease and stroke, nerve damage that causes tingling or numbness, eye retina disorders, kidney damage, to wounds that are difficult to heal.

"Prevention of diabetes is not enough just by choosing less sugar drinks. Overall eating patterns, carbohydrate intake, physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle remain important factors for keeping blood sugar levels under control and reducing the risk of diabetes from a young age," he explained.

On the same occasion, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) encouraged the strengthening of diabetes management in Indonesia amid the still large burden of the disease. Kalbe developed Diabetes Total Solution (DTS) as part of the End-to-End Diabetes Ecosystem Support approach that supports comprehensive diabetes management.

Various agendas start from prevention, early detection, treatment, to long-term monitoring. This approach involves collaboration between the government, health workers, professional organizations, patient communities, and families so that people with diabetes can get continuous assistance and avoid complications.

Through DTS, Kalbe carries out various community-based diabetes education and screening programs, supported by a portfolio of products, health services, and digital platforms that connect patients with diabetes-related information and services.

"Diabetes is not a disease that can be managed with a momentary therapy. Diabetes sufferers need support from understanding risk factors to managing the disease in the long term,"

"Through the End-to-End Diabetes Ecosystem Support approach, we strive to present an ecosystem that connects each stage so that patients receive continuous support," said Pharma Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, dr. Selvinna, M.Biomed.