The south of Gran Canaria not only stands as a first-rate tourist destination. However, behind the beauty of its beaches hides a tempting enemy for our health: sugar. During my recent stay in this paradisiacal enclave, I was able to see first-hand how the abuse of this sweetener has become a constant in the diet of many tourists. In Germany, around 8,5 million people suffer from diabetes. The number of diabetic people in the Canary Islands is around 230.000, that is, 15,6 percent of our population, almost double the Spanish average.
Hotel establishments, eager to satisfy the most demanding palates, offer a wide variety of desserts and sugary drinks. From traditional Canarian sweets to the sophisticated creations of haute pastries, temptation lurks at every step. The buffets, full of colorful sweets and fruits dipped in chocolate, are irresistible for many, who succumb to the temptation to overindulge in their consumption.
But sugar is not only found in hotels. The numerous cafes and ice cream parlors that dot the promenade offer a wide range of products rich in this ingredient. Smoothies, cocktails and ice creams, made with large amounts of sugar, are consumed in large quantities by tourists of all ages.
The consequences of this abuse are not long in coming. Weight gain, the appearance of cavities and other dental problems, as well as an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, are some of the most common consequences of excessive sugar consumption. In addition, sugar can cause insulin spikes that, in the long term, can alter metabolism and promote the development of insulin resistance.
It is important to note that sugar is not the only culprit. The lack of physical exercise, typical of many vacations, aggravates the negative effects of excessive consumption of this sweetener. The combination of a diet rich in simple sugars and a sedentary lifestyle can have very harmful consequences for your health. Maspalomas, like many other tourist destinations, faces the challenge of reconciling the pleasure of enjoying local cuisine with the need to maintain a healthy diet. It is essential that both tourists and hotel and hospitality establishments become aware of the risks of sugar abuse and take measures to reduce their consumption. Only in this way can we enjoy our vacations without endangering our health.
