Indonesia faces health risks from excessive added sugar consumption

Nutrition experts warn that regularly consuming high amounts of added sugar can disrupt the gut microbiome, allowing harmful microbes to outgrow beneficial ones. Kara Hochreiter, RDN, explains that this imbalance may lead to digestive issues, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and mood changes. Jessie Wong adds that excess sugar reduces short‑chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which normally protect the intestinal lining and lower inflammation.

Health officials also highlight a rise in childhood obesity linked to sugary diets. Pediatrician Dr. Reza Fahlevi, speaking with Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono, stressed that while sugar provides energy, its intake must be tightly limited to prevent insulin resistance, hypertension and kidney complications in children. Both experts cite WHO guidance that added sugars should provide less than 10 % of total energy intake.