[The Editors' Verdict] 'Tangchinminguk' Addicted to Sweetness

Explosive Popularity Among Young People
Rising Concerns Over Excessive Sugar Consumption

Kwangho Lee, Head of Distribution Economy Department

The popularity of 'tanghulu,' a treat made by skewering fruit, coating it with sugar, and freezing it to enjoy a crisp bite, is truly explosive. Tanghulu shops are rapidly increasing in hot spots frequented by young people in Seoul, such as Gangnam, Myeongdong, and Hongdae, and the long lines attest to its popularity. On social media platforms (SNS), various tanghulu-related content such as eating shows and how-to-make videos are being uploaded, and a new term, ‘Tangchinminguk’ (South Korea enthusiastic about tanghulu), has even emerged.

The origin of tanghulu dates back to the Song Dynasty in China. It is said that Empress Huang Guibi, a concubine of Emperor Guangzong, the 12th emperor of the Song Dynasty, was in poor health and was treated with various medicines without success. At that time, one of the royal physicians recommended eating 5 to 10 hawthorn berries soaked in sugar water before meals. After following this advice, the empress regained her health. This is considered the origin of tanghulu, which was first introduced domestically in places like Incheon Chinatown.

However, behind the tanghulu craze lies significant concern about health. The World Health Organization (WHO) generally recommends that less than 10% of total daily calorie intake come from sugars. For example, for an adult woman with a recommended daily calorie intake of 2000 kcal, the recommended sugar intake is about 50g, and for an adult man (2500 kcal), it is about 62.5g. One tanghulu typically contains about 10 to 25g of sugar, so if a woman consumes three pieces and a man consumes four, they exceed the recommended daily sugar intake.

Excessive sugar intake can increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, frequently eating hard foods like tanghulu can cause pain in the temporomandibular joint or face, and there is also a risk of teeth breaking while eating it. Experts particularly warn about sugar addiction. Recently, a joint research team from the United States, Spain, and Brazil, including Professor Ashley Gearheart from the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan, conducted a meta-analysis of 281 studies from 36 countries and found that 14% of adults and 12% of adolescents show addiction symptoms to ultra-processed foods like tanghulu.

The issue of excessive sugar intake among adolescents has even brought tanghulu into the National Assembly audit. During the audit of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety by the Health and Welfare Committee, Jeong Cheol-hoon, co-CEO of Dalkomnara Alice, was summoned as a witness to point out health issues among adolescents. Dalkomnara Alice owns ‘Dalkomwangga Tanghulu,’ the top tanghulu franchise in Korea.

It is uncertain how long tanghulu’s popularity will last, but what is important is maintaining healthy eating habits. Moderate consumption and a balanced diet are crucial for long-term health. When enjoying snacks like tanghulu, it is key to keep portions reasonable and consume a variety of foods considering nutritional value to maintain a healthy lifestyle. According to Article 70, Paragraph 7 of the Food Sanitation Act (Management of Nutritional Components That May Harm Health), the government must make greater efforts to prevent risks arising from excessive intake of nutritional components for the health of the public. ‘Tangchinminguk’ is dangerous.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.