The Scary Link Between Sugar and Obesity

It’s no secret that Filipinos love a sweet treat now and then. From ice-cold desserts to light snacks, there’s definitely something that can tickle someone’s sweet tooth. However, many health experts constantly remind Filipinos to eat sweets or even limit or reduce their intake of them to avoid illnesses that can affect their health. ¹

Studies have already linked sugar intake to a higher risk of obesity and other health problems. Being overweight and/or obese increases one’s risk for chronic issues ² such as high cholesterol levels, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. ³ The obesity rate in the Philippines now stands at a point where nearly 1 in 10 children and almost 4 in 10 adults are classified as overweight and obese. ⁴

Avoid becoming part of an unwanted statistic today! Understand or review how excessive sugar consumption affects one’s obesity risk and overall well-being. Moreover, learn how to mitigate these health issues even from the comforts of home with the help of a nutrient that can help counteract the effects of too much sugar.

A Brief Glance at How Obesity Is Determined

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a state of being overweight or obese as having abnormal or excessive fat in the body. ⁵ To determine if one is overweight or obese, healthcare practitioners measure one’s body mass index (BMI) by dividing one’s body weight by their height. Results can then be classified according to these three types of obesity: ⁶

• Class 1 Obesity: BMI of 30 to less than 35 kg/m² (kilograms per square meter)
• Class 2 Obesity: BMI of 35 to less than 40 kg/m²
• Class 3 Obesity: BMI of 40 kg/m² and above

Do remember, though, that BMI values aren’t the main “predictor” of specific health issues linked to being overweight or obese. ⁶ Feel free to talk to a doctor who can help check one’s health status and suggest additional measures to lower or prevent high BMI values, if ever.

Why Too Much Sugar Can Be Scary for the Body

Although obesity can also be impacted by factors like genetics and metabolism, a diet excessively high in sugar can play a major role in its onset.⁷

Researchers noted that a high-sugar diet can negatively affect the communication channels between the gut and the brain, prompt brain inflammation, and result in increased body fat accumulation, all of which may set the stage for obesity and its complications. ⁷

Sadly, the gut is also severely impacted by excessive sugar consumption. It is important to realize that the gut plays crucial roles in retrieving nutrients and energy from food, in strengthening the body’s immune system, and in preserving the integrity of one’s mucosal barrier. Unfortunately, obesity and the inflammation that arises from it can compromise the gut’s ability to do all of these functions, potentially increasing one’s risk for illnesses and health issues. ⁷

Here’s How Dietary Fiber Can Lessen One’s Obesity Fears

Even if someone is guilty of having too many sweets, all hope is not lost. As early as now, people can switch things around and add dietary fiber to their diet to help reduce their risk for weight gain, obesity, and all the other health issues that can arise because of it.

Authors of this 2025 study explained that people who consumed more than 20.8 grams of fiber daily had a 26% lower incidence rate of obesity compared to those who consumed less than 9.1 grams of fiber daily. More importantly, people who ate more fiber were revealed to have a 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality. ⁸

Lastly, dietary fiber is also valued for its ability to help restore or nourish one’s gut health by increasing the amount of beneficial and healthy bacteria 9 while decreasing levels of viruses that can harm the body further. ¹⁰

Time to Make Daily Fiber Intake a Possibility

Don’t let excessive sugar consumption get in the way of improving well-being. Lessen the risks brought about by weight gain and obesity with the help of a daily fiber supplement like Glucopro^®, best taken alongside a proper diet and exercise.

This wintermelon tea-flavored product contains a water-soluble, non-gelling, and viscous dietary fiber called resistant maltodextrin that’s known to help: ¹¹

• Improve gut health by:
  • Stimulating the production of a prebiotic in the form of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) ¹²
  • Increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut ⁹
  • Promoting intestinal regularity ¹³
• Assist with healthy weight management by
  • Promoting intestinal regularity ¹³
  • Decreasing visceral fat ¹⁴

Taking a total of three Glucopro® sachets daily not only helps someone receive 16.2 grams of this nutrient, but ensures that Filipino adults 19 years and above take a step in the right direction and meet the daily dietary fiber requirements of 20 to 25 grams, as highlighted in the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI). ¹⁵ To consume Glucopro®, dissolve one sachet in a 250 mL glass of water and consume alongside meals. ¹¹

Use Glucopro^® under medical supervision. It is always best to consult a doctor prior to taking any form of supplements.

Glucopro® is available in drugstores nationwide and online via Lazada and Shopee.

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG GLUCOPRO® AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT.