Source: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/cor...alth-minister/
Combating the virus: ‘We don’t need bottled poison:’ health minister
Coronavirus impact would be less without junk food and sugary drinks, says L?pez-Gatell
Published on Monday, July 20, 2020
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on Mexico due to the high prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases, Deputy Health Minister Hugo L?pez-Gatell said Saturday.
Speaking at an event in Berrioz?bal, Chiapas, L?pez-Gatell said that if people had diets free of junk food and sugary drinks – which he described as “bottled poison” – the impact of any virus on the population of Mexico would be less.
He has said repeatedly that the high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity is a major factor in the high number of Covid-19 deaths in Mexico.
L?pez-Gatell, the government’s coronavirus point man, said Saturday that diet-related health problems date back 40 years in Mexico and lamented that many people have abandoned healthier, more natural foods for highly-processed ones.
“What are we eating? How much salt are we putting on our food? Enough salt already! [Packaged] food already has salt,” he said.
“How much sugar are we putting into drinks? Fruit already has sugar. And, of course, why do we need bottled poison?” L?pez-Gatell asked, referring to sugary soda and juice. “Why do we need to eat donuts, cakes and chips?”...
Combating the virus: ‘We don’t need bottled poison:’ health minister
Coronavirus impact would be less without junk food and sugary drinks, says L?pez-Gatell
Published on Monday, July 20, 2020
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on Mexico due to the high prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases, Deputy Health Minister Hugo L?pez-Gatell said Saturday.
Speaking at an event in Berrioz?bal, Chiapas, L?pez-Gatell said that if people had diets free of junk food and sugary drinks – which he described as “bottled poison” – the impact of any virus on the population of Mexico would be less.
He has said repeatedly that the high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity is a major factor in the high number of Covid-19 deaths in Mexico.
L?pez-Gatell, the government’s coronavirus point man, said Saturday that diet-related health problems date back 40 years in Mexico and lamented that many people have abandoned healthier, more natural foods for highly-processed ones.
“What are we eating? How much salt are we putting on our food? Enough salt already! [Packaged] food already has salt,” he said.
“How much sugar are we putting into drinks? Fruit already has sugar. And, of course, why do we need bottled poison?” L?pez-Gatell asked, referring to sugary soda and juice. “Why do we need to eat donuts, cakes and chips?”...