The Diabetes Association of T&T (DATT) has endorsed the latest product from Nestl� T&T Ltd, a low calorie, low sugar juice drink for people facing diabetes and obesity challenges.
The Orchard drink comes in two flavours and is sweetened with sugar substitute stevia.
Declaring that the company is serious about its corporate social responsibility, corporate communications manager at Nestl� Denise D'Abadie said its international headquarters pledged to reduce sugar and trans-fatty acids in its products globally. She said the 75-calorie drink was subjected to several product tastings before yesterday's launch at the Marriott Hotel, Invaders Bay, Port-of-Spain.
Nestl� has pledged $80,000 a year to DATT to assist with diabetes education, awareness, training and research. The funds will also go toward the hosting of a symposium in June 2016 featuring Prof Errol Morrison, a diabetic specialist
DATT president Carlton Phillip said the number of people with diabetes is increasing and is projected to reach more than half a billion by 2030. He said more than 14 per cent of T&T's population is diabetic.
"Every Monday to Friday one or more amputations takes place in our nation's hospitals as a result of diabetes complications. And at the end of the year more than 365 amputations occurring in that year, imagine more amputations than days of the year," Phillip said.
He added that 50 per cent of those who have amputations go into depression and within two years 22 per cent of them die.
Relating his own experience as a parent, he said: "My son was diagnosed with diabetes when he was two and he lived to be 32 years and died from diabetes complications. I have seven brothers. All of us have diabetes, all of us are on insulin. I am on insulin for about ten years."
Soca artiste Nadia Batson, who was on hand to endorse the product, said there is a history of diabetes in her family so she monitors her sugar intake.
The drink is expected to be on supermarket shelves in less than a week.
