Diabetes is on the rise and that’s very bad news

Our continent is in the grips of a sugar epidemic. Over 20 million people were living with diabetes in Africa in 2021, predicted to increase by 129% to 55 million by 2045.

Quick Read:

Many people in Africa don’t even realise they have diabetes, due to not being diagnosed.
Type 2 diabetes was once considered “rare” in sub-Saharan Africa. It’s now a leading cause of illness and death.
The high cost of medications means that many people struggle to manage their blood glucose levels.

Sugar is in (almost) everything we eat and drink

Cane sugar comes from a plant and is a carbohydrate. From sugar we get sucrose (the table sugar we use every day).

Sucrose is also a natural ingredient in fruit and vegetables. When you take in a mouthful of sucrose, your body breaks it down into its separate units: glucose and fructose. Glucose is used as energy, and fructose as excess energy.

And now we have people who are addicted to sugar, because it’s in almost everything we eat or drink, even so-called “healthy” food.

Fructose comes naturally from honey, fruit and vegetables, but recently, food scientists and manufacturers add it to an assortment of food items. And each day, more and more people are consuming these foods, even children, and the number of diabetics across the continent continues to rise.

Parents who are unhealthy and obese often pass the risk on to their children. These children tend to grow up in an unhealthy environment where they consume too much sugar, often leading to childhood diabetes.

8 signs and symptoms of diabetes

If you’re peeing more than usual, especially at night, it could be because your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood through urine.
Constantly feeling thirsty, even if you’re drinking lots of water, is another sign that could hint at diabetes.
You feel hungry constantly, even after eating.
If you’re losing weight without trying, it might be because your body can’t get enough energy from the food you eat, so it starts burning fat instead.
Constantly tired? It may be that high blood sugar levels are wearing you out.
Diabetes can trigger changes in the fluid in your eyes, making it harder to see clearly.
Another telltale sign is when cuts, sores or infections take longer to heal. This could be due to diabetes affecting your body’s ability to repair itself.
Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet can happen if high blood sugar damages the nerves, causing sensations like tingling or even pain.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor or clinic to check for diabetes. The sooner you treat the problem, the better your quality of life.

Take steps to fight diabetes

Try not to add extra sugar or sweeteners to your tea or coffee.
Stop drinking soft drinks or juices and try to stick to this rule with your children, too.
Keep chips and biscuits to a minimum, they’re okay as the occasional snack, but do your best to cut back.
Read food labels and look out for “hidden” sugars. Search for names like maize syrup, glucose syrup, fructose syrup, fruit fructose and crystalline fructose.
Herbs and spices like cinnamon, fenugreek and turmeric could help control your blood sugar levels.
Set a good example for your children! Show them that it’s healthy to exercise regularly and be mindful about what you eat.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, make sure to take your diabetes medication or insulin exactly as directed by your doctor or the clinic.

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