Coca-cola sugar cuts will reduce diabetes: NGO
Diabetes SA has welcomed the news that Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa will be taking steps to cut the amount of sugar in the popular drink.
Coca-Cola wants to drop the amount of sugar by between 22 and 24% by 2018.
Currently, a 1-litre bottle contains 106 grams or the equivalent of 26-tablespoons of sugar. A buddy bottle has 53 grams or around 13-tablespoons of sugar.
Jenny Russell - from the organisation's Durban branch - says it's a step in the right direction.
"One hundred percent. We are absolutely delighted. It's aimed mainly at reducing obesity in South Africa which is an important risk factor contributing to people developing Type 2 Diabetes," she said.
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The beverage manufacturer says it's currently reviewing all recipes of its regular products.
"In KwaZulu-Natal alone, we have 1.3-million diagnosed diabetics. We are having six lower limb amputations per day which is absolutely a shocker," Russell said.
Meanwhile, the company says it's looking at introducing a range of smaller drinks - reduce the average sugar intake by consumers.
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