Abstract
This paper examines the rationale for withdrawing products with high sugar content from retail shops. Several academic and non-academic articles have been used to argue for this case. It has been identified that sugary products have critical health effects. Due to excessive sugar intake, diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular complication come up. It is thus recommended that businessmen should strive to ensure a healthy society by committing themselves to not selling sugary products.
Local Pharmacy in Bedeck
In an article that appeared on CBC News dated 12 September 2014, it was reported that a pharmacist in Beddeck, Canada, had withdrawn all sugary products off his stock (CBC News, 2014). He did this to show his commitment and determination to the fight against sugar. The pharmacist, identified as Graham McKenzie, had removed products such as pop, juice, diet pop, and vitamin water, from his inventory (CBC News, 2014). When interviewed, Graham stated that he was concerned since Canadians were taking at least ten teaspoons of sugar in these drinks, and this was not healthy for them. Graham also encouraged other pharmacists to promote such a business model. Heart and Stroke Foundation supported this stance in which it indicated that the level of sugar currently being taken ought to be cut. The article reveals that 20% of the calories consumed by Canadian nationals come from sugar (CBC News, 2014). Based on the context of the CBC News post, this paper argues that the sale of sugary products in the marketplace should be cut.
As the Heart and Stroke Foundation states, consuming excess sugar is dangerous to a person’s health (CBC News, 2014). This claim has been confirmed by the findings of a set of research studies in which it has been revealed that consuming too much sugar can potentially lead to coronary heart disease. Indeed, a single molecule of an element called Glucose Metabolite Phosphate, which is commonly found in sugars, it can lead to abnormal or weakened functionality of the heart. As more sugar is consumed, regardless of the source, the GGP molecules accumulate. As a result, the heart becomes stressed such that it cannot perform its function appropriately. It weakens, and if the condition is left unattended, death could occur (Johnson, 2007).
Besides, excess sugar intake can result in resistance against insulin by cells. Insulin is a very essential hormone given its role in controlling the use of energy and metabolism in the human body. Sugary food substances contribute to an increasing level of glucose in the body. According to Johnson (2007), excess glucose is toxic. Therefore, in an attempt to restore the glucose level to normal, the pancreas produces insulin, which acts by removing the excess glucose from the blood stream into the peripheral body cells. However, at some point, the cells become resistant. Shils and Shike (2006) revealed that where these cells resist the effects of the hormone, type 2 diabetes starts developing, since the body will be having more insulin than needed. Excess sugar has also been associated with a set of other diseases that relate to obesity. Being obese, usually, increases the risk of developing other critical medical complications such as respiratory issues, high blood pressure, and infertility.
Therefore, the need to improve the health of Canada is urgent and should be addressed using appropriate measures. As it has been identified in the CBC News article, the basic measure is to withdraw sugary products from the shop’s shelves. Given such a course, people will be forced to seek other healthier alternatives to the products, thus contributing towards a healthy Canadian society.
References
CBC News (2014). Baddeck pharmacist pulls sugary drinks off shelves.CBC News. Web.
Johnson, R. J. (2007). Potential role of sugar (fructose) in the epidemic of hypertension, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease1,2,3. Am J Clin Nutr., 86(4), 899-906.
Shils, ‎M. E., & Shike, M. (2006). Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Belmont, CA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.