A lighthearted Instagram reel by Delhi-based influencer Yuvraj Dua has turned into a broader conversation about the health risks of excessive sugar consumption after Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded with a public message urging people to cut down on sweets.Dua made a humorous request to the Prime Minister about his father’s eating habits, explaining that his father is a devoted follower of PM Modi and tends to take his words very seriously.He asked if the Prime Minister spoke against sweets during his monthly radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”, it might finally convince his father to control his sugar intake.“If in the next Mann Ki Baat you say something against sweets, my father’s sugar will come under control,” he said in the video.The reel quickly gained traction online and eventually caught the Prime Minister’s attention.Responding to the post on Instagram, PM Modi on his Instagram story used the opportunity to deliver a broader public health message about the dangers of consuming too much sugar.“On Yuvraj’s request, I urge his father and everyone out there to reduce sugar intake, be healthy and be happy,” he wrote.The Prime Minister also warned that excessive sugar consumption is linked to several serious health conditions.“Focus on your wellbeing. Eat well, eat healthy. Excessive sugar invites a range of diseases. Then there is the looming threat of obesity. Also, do make Yoga a part of your lives. It is a great way to remain fit and active,” he added.India And DiabetesIndia today carries one of the heaviest diabetes burden in the world. This is a crisis that is not just driven by genetics, but also by rapid urbanization, sedentary routines, shifting diets, stress, and late diagnosis. With over 101 million Indians currently living with diabetes in India, and 136 million in the pre-diabetic stage, as stated by the latest ICMR estimates, the country is facing an epidemic. This threatens to overwhelm the healthcare system in the coming years.Diabetes is one of the chronic lifestyle conditions that most older adults fear developing, especially past the age of 40. This is when body's main source of energy or glucose is too high. However, recent cases show that diabetes may no longer be a disease of aging. While most people who are middle-aged or older adults develop Type 2 diabetes, there is in fact a rise in cases among the youth, including children.In India too, there is a sharp rise in diabetes across all age groups, with many cases going undiagnosed until complications set in, says Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, chief pathologist at Redcliffe Labs. " Diabetes cases are rising not just among older adults but also in children, teenagers, and youngsters in their 20s & 30s," says the doctor.When large amounts of sugar are consumed regularly, the body experiences repeated spikes in blood glucose levels. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells stop responding effectively to insulin. This is one of the key mechanisms behind the development of type 2 diabetes.Excess sugar intake is also strongly linked with weight gain. Sugary foods and beverages are often calorie dense but nutritionally poor, making it easy to consume large amounts of calories without feeling full.Research has also shown that frequent consumption of sweets and sugary drinks can increase the risk of fatty liver disease and dental problems. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yuvraj Dua (@yuvraj.dua)]]>Public health organizations across the world recommend limiting added sugar in daily diets. The World Health Organization suggests that added sugar should make up less than 10 percent of total daily calorie intake, and ideally below 5 percent for additional health benefits.Following the Prime Minister’s response, Dua reacted with amusement and relief, hoping that the message would finally persuade his father to change his habits.“Now even Modi ji has said it. Papa, please listen,” he wrote in response.