'Red' warning: Obesity and cardiovascular disease 'invade' Tet holiday, how much is enough?

Lunar New Year is an important occasion to gather with family and friends, with traditional foods such as sweets, jams and wine symbolizing good luck. However, consuming too much sugar and alcohol can pose health risks that few people pay attention to.

During Tet, people often enjoy sweet foods such as banh chung, banh tet, coconut jam, and candy, hoping to bring a sweet and lucky new year. However, consuming too much added sugar in these foods can have serious health effects, especially for people with medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or obesity.

According to health experts, added sugar is the type of sugar that manufacturers add to foods to increase sweetness, stimulate taste buds and help products to be preserved easily. Tet foods, from candy, cakes to soft drinks all contain a significant amount of added sugar, making it easy for the body to consume large amounts without realizing it.

Eating too much sugar can cause a number of serious health problems. First, added sugars add calories to the body, contributing to overweight and obesity. Studies have shown that consuming a lot of sugar can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who consumed 17-21% of their calories from added sugars had a 38% higher risk of sudden death from heart disease than people who consumed only about 8% of their calories from sugar.

Not only that, consuming too much sugar can also increase blood pressure and cause chronic inflammation, leading risk factors for heart disease. Therefore, during Tet, although enjoying sweets is indispensable, people should also pay attention to controlling their daily sugar intake.

Along with sweet dishes, alcohol is also an indispensable part of Tet parties. However, the risk of alcohol poisoning during Tet is increasing, especially with alcohol of unknown origin or not quality checked.

According to experts, during the holidays, many people tend to consume large quantities of alcohol, and sometimes homemade alcohol, alcohol soaked with forest plants, or alcohol mixed with industrial alcohol. Some of these types of alcohol may contain toxic substances such as methanol (industrial alcohol), which can cause serious poisoning, even death. Methanol, when entering the body, can be converted into formic acid, a powerful poison that can cause serious damage to the eyes and nervous system, leading to blindness and organ failure.

Recently, in Hanoi, an alcohol poisoning incident occurred after a party at a conference, causing 20 people to be hospitalized, including 2 deaths. Investigation showed that the cause was alcohol containing methanol exceeding the permitted level and acetonitrile, a toxic chemical compound that can cause poisoning if consumed. The use of homemade alcohol or alcohol of unknown origin may be the main cause of poisoning during Tet.

Experts warn that during the holidays, it is very dangerous to use homemade or unknown wines. Many people believe that wines infused with medicinal plants or animals can bring health benefits, but in fact, they can contain toxic ingredients that cause poisoning. These wines not only have no medicinal effect but can also be harmful to health and life if used incorrectly.

Tet is a time for us to gather and enjoy our favorite foods and drinks, but we cannot forget the potential health risks from sweet foods and alcohol. Eating properly and safely will help everyone enjoy Tet to the fullest without worrying about health problems. Be careful and always protect your health during this festive season.

Mysterious stories behind Tet: A unique story about hidden customs? Khanh Phạm15:27:52 17/01/2025Tet Nguyen Dan, the annual holiday of the Vietnamese people, is always associated with traditions and stories that carry deep cultural values. Besides, Tet also has mysterious stories, bringing people faith and hope at the beginning of the year.