Prof. Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV programme “Medicine Online”. During the interview, he delved into the topics including sugar control, the use of next-generation sugar substitutes and the glycaemic index.
Prof. Lo highlighted that excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain and may also contribute to health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. He suggested that sugar control can begin with simple changes in daily habits, such as asking for “no sauce” or “sauce on the side” in meal orders, as well as opting for low-sugar beverages. He also reminded consumers to pay close attention to nutritional labels on food packaging to help manage their sugar intake. Prof. Lo added that foods containing less than 5ml (or 5g) of sugar per 100ml (or 100g) are considered low-sugar products.
In addition, Prof. Lo noted that natural sugar substitutes, such as monk fruit sweetener, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Although these substitutes are lower in calories and have less impact on blood sugar levels, their sweetness is 100 to 250 times higher than regular sugar, so special care should be taken when consuming them. He emphasised that some sugar substitutes can be even sweeter than regular sugar regardless being artificial or natural. Therefore, he did not recommend using them as the main replacer for a sugar-free diet.
Finally, Prof. Lo discussed the glycaemic index (GI), which measures the rising speed of blood sugar levels caused by food. He advised the public to be mindful of foods with a high GI, such as rice, mashed potatoes, longans and lychees, as these can cause blood glucose levels to rise more rapidly and drastically. Conversely, unrefined and fibre-rich foods, such as wholemeal bread, apples and oranges, can lead to a more stable increase in blood glucose levels.
Online coverage:
ViuTV - https://polyu.me/4od0QYL (8:20 - 11:40)
Now TV - https://polyu.me/42xKr8X (7:46 - 11:04)
| Research Units | Research Institute for Future Food | Research Institute for Smart Ageing |
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