In an opinion column published in time by Mark Hyman and Ron Gutmanit is proposed a provocative comparison: treating sugar the way you treat cigarettes. The authors, leading researchers in functional medicine, longevity, and nutrition, argue that the food we consume impacts all aspects of lives and bodies: “Our hormones, brain chemistry, immune system, microbiome; The list goes on.” So it is key, they ensure that consumers understand the nutritional value of food to make informed decisions, especially when it comes to sugar.
Hyman is a family physician, internationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, educator, and advocate for functional medicine, real food, nutrition, and wellness. Gutman is an inventor, technology and healthcare pioneer and entrepreneur, best-selling author, philanthropist, and adjunct professor at Stanford University. Both propose that, like warnings on cigarette packages, Food labels should warn about the risks of high sugar consumption.
The Food and Drug Administration The US FDA recommends that adults consume no more than 50 grams of added sugar per day (based on a 2,000-calorie diet), yet the average American consume approximately 150 grams of sugar daily, more than three times the recommended amountwhich contributes to 49% of American adults are diabetic or prediabetic. The authors note that “there are more than 60 different ways to identify sugar on nutrition labels,” which unfairly complicates consumers’ attempts to regulate their sugar intake.
Hyman and Gutman point out that 74% of packaged foods in the US contain added sugar, including seemingly healthy foods. They reveal that “sugar is biologically addictive, studies indicate that It is eight times more addictive than cocaine”, and criticized the tactics of the food industry which, like tobacco companies in past decades, attempts to stifle attempts to better inform consumers about the risks of excessive sugar consumption.
The efforts to implement front labels on products, which indicate high sugar content, have proven to be effective in countries such as Chile and Israelwhere a significant reduction in the consumption of sugary drinks and positive changes in the food purchasing habits of up to 76% of the population have been observed after the implementation of the labeling system.
For Hyman and Gutman, front labels on packaged foods represent just the first step toward a healthier society. They underscore the importance of encouraging the widespread production and distribution of healthier alternatives that are as delicious and accessible as sugar-filled options. The authors support the initiative of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will limit added sugars in school meals, thus helping to form healthy eating habits from childhood.
The column concludes that the right of all Americans to have clear and visible information about the sugar content of foods For both Hyman and Gutman, this transparency is essential to making more informed choices about our food and our health. This direct, evidence-based approach reflects his commitment to improving the well-being and longevity of millions, at a time when the need to address excessive sugar consumption has never been more critical.
Known as the father of nutrition facts labels, Peter Barton Huttintroduced a system that has empowered millions of consumers to make informed decisions about the foods they eat during his tenure as FDA chief counsel from 1971 to 1975.
Under Hutt’s direction, the FDA transformed its regulatory approach. Before his arrival, the agency was primarily focused on reacting against specific violations. However, with Hutt at the helm, the FDA began developing proactive regulations that not only addressed violations but also prevented future problems by requiring greater transparency in the food industry. This is how the nutrition labels we know today were born, an innovation that he attributes to the influence of the National Canners Association.
Hutt’s contribution was not limited to his time at the FDA. His career extended into academia and private industry, where he continued his educational and consulting work. At Harvard Law School each January, she enlightened young minds with courses ranging from the Code of Hammurabi to modern FDA oversight of cosmetics and carcinogens. “That’s 5,000 years of food and drug law. How can you not get excited?”commented Hutt, whose passion for the subject was contagious.
Despite his rigorous work in food regulation, Hutt was surprisingly simple in his personal dietary choices. A fan of Five Guys hamburgers and a daily vanilla ice cream, his personal life contrasted with the image of a strict regulator.. Although Hutt also takes health precautions, such as exercise and vitamin supplements, he maintains a balanced perspective on wellness, combining his favorite foods with a responsible approach to health.
Today, Nutrition labels continue to evolve, facing new challenges and adapting to the changing information needs of consumers. Hutt’s work remains relevant, as regulators and consumers alike navigate a sea of information in search of healthy and conscious decisions.
