BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

EATING fresh fruits and vegetables is a healthier option for those suffering from diabetes.

Head of Non-Communicable Diseases Unit at Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health Dr Hj Mohd Syafiq Abdullah yesterday suggested that overconsumption of fruit juices that have been commercially produced should be avoided as most contain high sugar levels.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is preferable because they contain less calories and more fibre, he said in a speech during the opening ceremony of a public event held in conjunction with the World Diabetes Day 2014 at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital.

Vegetable juices have lower carbohydrates and are slightly better than fruit juices, however, some of the fibre content will be lost during the juicing process.

While consuming fresh fruits is advisable, Dr Hj Mohd Syafiq said that it will increase sugar levels in the blood therefore should be taken in the quantity recommended.

“Some fruits, particularly the local fruits, have high sugar content compared to fruits from cold climate,” he said.

Drinking three servings of fruit juices a week is associated with an increase of eight per cent risk in getting diabetes, he said, citing a survey conducted last year.

Another survey, which was conducted in April this year, showed that the consumption of a can of fizzy drink increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 22 per cent. Whereas, replacing the consumption of fruit juices with three servings of fresh fruits per week decreased the risk by seven per cent, he added.

The Minister of Health, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof, officiated at the opening ceremony.

Throughout the one-day event, members of the public were able to have their glucose and blood pressure checked.

There were also booths on healthy eating and foot care, as well as an exhibition educating the public on diabetes and its prevention.

The event also saw healthy cooking demonstration by Datuk Chef Wan of Malaysia.

The Brunei Times