Sweetening the Deal: Hirschhausen's 'Reward System Went Wild' - Can Germany kick its sugar habit? Hirschhausen investigates the crisis

Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen is addressing Germany's sugar problem in his latest primetime show. The episode, Hirschhausen and the Sugar Problem, will air on ARD on Monday, February 23 at 8:15 PM. It explores the link between sugar consumption and diabetes, a condition that can lead to severe complications like foot amputations due to nerve and blood vessel damage.

Germans currently consume an average of 33 kilograms of sugar per person each year. Over the past five years, daily intake has decreased from around 100 grams to roughly 92 grams. This decline follows stricter food labeling, proposed taxes on sugary drinks, growing health awareness, and shifts in eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The show investigates whether a sugar tax could help prevent diabetes. Hirschhausen also shares his own experience: he improved his heart health by resetting his sugar cravings through fasting. In another experiment, he used an MRI scanner to study how artificial sweeteners affect the brain.

A medical assistant from Düsseldorf is featured in the programme after enhancing her health by reducing her carbohydrate intake. Meanwhile, a school garden project demonstrates how teaching children about real food can encourage healthier eating habits from an early age.

The episode combines personal stories, scientific experiments, and policy discussions to address sugar's role in public health. Viewers will see practical examples of how diet changes can make a difference. The programme airs as part of ARD's ongoing focus on health and nutrition.