JAKARTA - Consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks is now increasingly popular among the Indonesian people. This has attracted attention because it has the potential to make daily sugar intake exceed the recommended limit.
Lecturer at the Department of Public Nutrition, IPB University, Dr. Zuraidah Nasution, said that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) has continued to increase in the last two decades.
The recommended daily intake of sugar is around 50 grams or equivalent to four tablespoons. However, data from the Ministry of Health shows that the consumption of sugar from drinks alone has reached around 50 percent of the limit.
"The recommended sugar intake per day is about 10 percent of daily energy needs," said Zuraidah, quoted from the official website of IPB University, on Monday, April 20, 2026.
The increase in the consumption of sugary drinks is partly due to ease of access. Various packaged drinks to trendy drinks such as milk tea, milk coffee, and boba are easy to find.
There are also many products that do not clearly list sugar content information. This makes it difficult for people to realize that the amount of sugar consumed in a day exceeds the recommended limit.
In addition to sugary drinks, ultra-processed food (UPF) is also a concern. Doctor of Medicine and Nutrition Faculty of IPB University, dr.dr. Karina Rahmadia Ekawidyani, said that UPF is a food that has undergone a very intensive processing process.
"UPF food undergoes a lot of processing, so we can't see the original form," said dr. Karina.
These foods generally contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and fat, with low essential nutrients. Excessive consumption can lead to excess calories without being balanced by fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
"If consumed in excess, there is a risk of excess calories but a lack of essential nutrients," he explained.
The bad effects of consuming sugary drinks with excess sugar and processed foods can be felt in the short and long term.
In the short term, these foods and beverages can trigger dental caries and digestive disorders. Meanwhile, in the long term, the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease increases.
"With this set of risks, in the long run it can develop into a degenerative disease," he said.
Therefore, it is reminded that the public, especially children and adolescents, should be limited to consuming processed foods and sugary drinks. It does not have to be completely avoided, but its consumption is wisely regulated and balanced with healthy foods.
"Once in a while, but not every day. We have to balance it with whole foods," concluded dr. Karina.
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