Sugar is silently fuelling a national health crisis, and most South Africans don’t even know it. With daily sugar intake far exceeding safe limits, Pharma Dynamics and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) have launched a practical, easy-to-follow guide to help the public spot hidden sugars, make smarter food choices and protect their heart health.

The problem with hidden sugar

The booklet highlights the alarming health consequences of excessive sugar consumption, including its link to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and tooth decay.

“The prevalence of these lifestyle diseases is rising at a worrying rate in our country. Much of this can be traced back to unhealthy eating patterns, sedentary lifestyles and a lack of awareness about what’s really in the food and drinks we consume daily,” says Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Nicole Jennings.

One of the major challenges the booklet addresses is the high quantity of hidden sugars in processed and packaged foods — from breakfast cereals and flavoured yoghurts to sauces, energy drinks, and so-called ‘health’ snacks. Many of these products contain sugar under unfamiliar names, making it harder for consumers to identify and limit their intake.

“In many cases, people think they’re making healthier choices, not realising just how much added sugar they’re ingesting. The booklet includes comprehensive sugar charts, clearly showing the sugar content of commonly consumed foods and drinks in South Africa. It empowers people to make better decisions for their health,” says HSF CEO Professor Pamela Naidoo. Naidoo states that if a food item tastes very sweet then the chances are there are unacceptably high levels of sugar in that item.

Alarming consumption statistics

According to the World Health Organisation, adults should consume no more than six teaspoons (30g) of sugar per day. However, the average South African consumes between 12 and 24 teaspoons daily, with up to eight teaspoons coming from sugar-sweetened beverages alone.

“These drinks deliver sugar in liquid form, which is absorbed rapidly and causes blood sugar spikes. They also provide no nutritional value or satiety, making them a dangerous source of empty calories,” says Jennings.

Commitment to preventative healthcare

This latest addition builds on Pharma Dynamics’ longstanding commitment to preventative healthcare.

“As the leading supplier of cardiovascular medicine in the country, we recognise that medicine alone isn’t enough. Our focus is on holistic wellness — supporting healthier lifestyles that reduce the risk of disease before it starts,” says Jennings.

The Low Sugar booklet builds on the success of a broader suite of educational resources developed by Pharma Dynamics and endorsed by the HSFSA. These resources form part of the Cooking from the Heart series, now in its 8th edition, which includes:

• 1st Edition (2012): Heart-healthy Recipes for the Whole Family
• 2nd Edition (2014): Healthy Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Recipes
• 3rd Edition (2016): Diabetes-friendly Recipes
• 4th Edition (2019): Healthy Braai Recipes
• 5th Edition (2020): Low Salt Booklet
• 6th Edition DASH (2022): Focusing on Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, the DASH Edition won the Gourmand Award in 2023 for Best Professional Health and Nutrition. The prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is an international competition that honours the best food and wine books (printed/digital) as well as food television. In June it was named as one of 20 standout South African titles of the past 30 years, earning a nomination in the Gourmand’s 30th Anniversary Showcase.
• 7th Edition, Hearty (2024): A digital recipe collection co-created with leading South African chefs and cookbook authors was named the ‘best free recipe resource in the world’ at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and also came second in the Free Resources for Healthcare Professionals category.
• 8th Edition, The Low Sugar booklet (2025): The latest addition, offering practical tips and tools to help South Africans reduce their daily sugar intake.

Together, these eight editions make up the Cooking from the Heart (CFTH) series — a widely recognised, award-winning collection aimed at promoting heart-healthy, accessible nutrition for South African households. All eight books in the CFTH series have been endorsed by the HSFSA.

“The Cooking from the Heart series show that eating for your heart doesn’t have to be bland or restrictive. You can eat well, with joy and flavour, while still looking after your health,” adds Jennings.

Naidoo echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of early intervention. “We’re seeing a rise in lifestyle diseases, even among children. Educating the public about nutrition and giving them the tools to make healthier choices is critical. This booklet is a valuable step toward a healthier nation.” Naidoo makes an important point about overweight and obesity now being considered a medical condition. “If you have been diagnosed with the condition of obesity, mindful consumption of food low in sugar, with mindfulness eating a balanced diet, will go a long way towards overall health,” she adds.

The Low Sugar booklet is freely available online at www.mydynamics.co.za, including the full collection of Cooking from the Heart resources, while Hearty can be accessed via www.heartyfood.co.za.

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