No, the picture has been altered. The original photo shows President Salva Kiir Mayardit receiving an invitation letter from a representative of the Turkish president.
Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino
A Facebook post with an image of South Sudanese president Salva Kiir holding a piece of paper with the words ‘Illuminati contract’ is false.
The post by ‘Membership Supremacy’ states some benefits of becoming an Illuminati member and is accompanied by four images, including one of Kiir holding the supposed contract.
Screenshot of the post.
Investigation:
A reverse image search of the photo using Google Lens brings up the original photo as featured in an article by the Sudan Tribune published on January 11, 2023. The story’s title reads: “South Sudan’s Kiir invited for a conference in Turkey.’’
The image shows Turkey’s envoy to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf, presenting the invitation letter to Kiir on behalf of the Turkish president.
The original image clearly does not bear the ‘Illuminati contract’ text and has also been shared here.
Conclusion:
211 Check has found that the picture making rounds on social media purportedly showing the President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir, receiving an ‘Illuminati contract’ is false. The image shows Turkey’s envoy to South Sudan, Erdem Mutaf, presenting an invitation letter to Kiir on behalf of the Turkish president.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PresidentKiir-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-16 16:56:232023-08-16 16:56:29Fact-check: Is this a photo of the President of South Sudan holding an Illuminati contract?
No, the video shows Morou Amadou, the former Justice Minister in Niger, and is unrelated to the coup.
Writer: Jibi Moses
A video originally posted on Tiktok and making the rounds on WhatsApp claiming that Niger’s former finance minister was crying after being threatened with death by firing squad for stealing from the state coffers is false.
The video shows a man sobbing and being offered a bottle of water. The WhatsApp message accompanying the video claims that the man, supposedly Niger’s former finance minister, was crying because he was given an ultimatum of 48 hours by the coup plotters to account for all the stolen Nigerien money or else he would be killed by firing squad. The video was shared on July 31, 2023.
The video was also presented with the same headline on different websites, such as here and here.
Investigation:
211Check traced the TikTok video to Djibo Amadou, who shared the video on July 26, 2023.
A Reverse Image Search, of a screengrab from the video returned many results, some dating back as far as 2021.
Sources that used the video with the same or similar headlines include here, here, and here, among others.
However, the results also brought up the video as shared on December 27, 2021, by a Facebook user. The video was shared with an accompanying text in Hausa, identified with the help of Google Translate. The text’s translation identifies the person in the video as ‘Morou Amadou, the former Niger minister of Justice.’
We also discovered that the video had been shared on Twitter on December 20, 2021, with a caption in Arabic. Using Google Translate, we realised the post described the man in the video as the former Minister of Justice, ‘Maro Amdo’, who was a minister in Niger between 2011 and 2021.
The narrative was that the minister was crying while praising the former presidents of Niger, especially Muhammadu Issoufou, with whom he worked for ten years as Minister of Justice.
On July 26, 2023, the Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup and detained President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. Senior officers from various defence and security forces (FDS) branches formed a junta named the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP). They announced the seizure of power In a televised broadcast. The public response varied, with initial demonstrations in support of Bazoum being dispersed by mutinous soldiers and subsequent demonstrations in support of the CNSP. On July 27, the Nigerien Armed Forces joined the CNSP, citing their intent to avoid lethal confrontation and to safeguard the president and his family. (Source🙂
Conclusion
The claim in the video, which has been widely shared, is false and misleading. This video, which is of former Nigerien Minister of Justice Marou Amadou, has been online since December 2021 and is unrelated to the coup.
Similarly, several fact-checking organisations have also debunked the claim, as seen here, here, and here.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NigerMinister-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-14 08:32:312023-08-14 08:37:18Fact-check: Former Niger finance minister caught on video crying after allegedly squandering state funds?
RwandAir is not giving transport subsidies to citizens. This claim was made to trick unsuspecting internet users and take their sensitive information.
Writer: Nancy Ceasar
A message was forwarded to many WhatsApp groups and private chats claiming to be Rwanda’s government transport subsidy, giving gifts to their lucky winners with an award of “$1,000,00” after answering some questions.
Then after opening the box, it takes it to another unrelated site, making it suspicious.
The picture on the congratulatory message was used by the Facebook page Rwanda, the heart of Africa, with the caption, “The national carrier, Rwanda, has been named among the most improved airlines in the world. Kigali international airport has also recorded the best-ever passenger traffic #I love Rwanda. Rwanda is a small country with a big dream,” on December 10th 2018.
Investigation:
211 Check carried out an examination of the URL using Virustotal, an online tool used to detect malware and other suspicious software. It detected the URL as being a phishing link. Phishing links are links created to promote scams or fraudulent activities, and by clicking on them, one’s information can be stolen and used for selfish reasons or to misuse information for personal gain.
In addition, a Google Lens search shows that Pulse used the picture live.co.ke with the caption, “Here is how many passengers the top 10 African airlines managed to airlift in 2018.”
Rwanda Airlines began operating on December 1, 2002, as a new national carrier under the name RwandAir Express [passenger air transportation is the core activity]. Rwanda, with concession, is carrying out airport ground handling ancillary activity at Kigali International Airport.
In March 2009, it was registered with a new trademark, RwandAir, the current operating name. The Rwandan government introduced a 29.3 billion Rwandan franc subsidy to ease the burden on pressed public transport service providers. Information provided by ODA indicates that the government has allocated a subsidy of 29.3 billion Rwandan Francs in the 2021 financial year as a relief payment to hard-pressed public transport operators. Under the now extended covid 19 regulations, Rwandan public transport operators are requested to reduce their load factors to 50% of carrying capacity.
Previously, the same claim had surfaced on the internet and was fact-checked by PesaCheck, as seen in this link.
Conclusion:
211 Check finds that the circular in WhatsApp groups claiming that the government of Rwanda will issue transportation subsidies and every citizen can get them is false. This is a phishing scam where some individuals collect internet users’ details and use them for their interests or sell them to a third party. The general public should be cautious when dealing with information online. Some information is too good to be true, and verification is needed before trusting any link shared on social media.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/RwandAir-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-11 14:07:432023-08-13 14:09:55Fact-check: RwandAir isn’t offering government transport subsidies
The picture has been on the internet since 2020. It is of a Ghanaian man posing with his two wives.
Writer: Rajab Mayol
A photo of a man with two ladies was shared on Facebook, allegedly a South Sudanese man named ‘Solomon Wani’ with two wives is false.
“Congratulations to Solomon Wani for becoming the first Junubi Man to marry Two wives in 2 days. Speaking to Top in South Sudan, Solomon said he plans to Marry at least 12 wives before Christmas,” said Top in South Sudan in their post.
Investigation
A Google reverse image search using google lens on the picture showed that the picture in the post had been uploaded to Facebook since August 2020 and by multiple Facebook pages. In the photo, a Ghanaian man poses with his two wives.
Conclusion
211 Check has found the claim that a photo allegedly showing a man “Solomon Wani” with two wives from South Sudan is false.
The photo is of a Ghanaian man posing with his two wives and has been on the internet since at least August 2020.
This fact check has been published by 211 Check as part of an assignment submission for the Empowering Fact-checking in South Sudan (EFiSS) Training.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TopinSouthSudan-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-10 12:51:362023-08-13 12:55:18Fact-check: This picture isn’t of a South Sudanese man with his two wives
No, the men in the photos are Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee in uniform, and Lomoni Lewan whose photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya.
Writer: Ochaya Jackson
A tweet with images claiming to show Sudanese military general Colonel Ibrahim Shemseddin in a malnourished state in detention is false.
One of the images is supposedly of the general in military attire, and two others are of him in detention by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s regime.
“Politics and its cruelty: “The person you see in the picture below is called Colonel Ibrahim Shemsedin. The man was Sudan’s most powerful Security Chief, locked up in underground detention by President al-Bashir’s regime”, reads the August 2, 2023 tweet.
Screenshot of the tweet
The claim depicts a political turnaround and portrays that the military Colonel was once powerful but ended up in prison under former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir.
Investigation
However, a Google reverse image search established that the photos presented in the claim are of two different individuals.
The man in the military attire is Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee. The photo was taken while he was addressing a pressconference in 2019 after the overthrow of President al- Bashir from power.
On the other hand, the elderly, malnourished man is Lomoni Lewan. His photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya by BBC correspondent Ronclife Odit, who tweeted about it the same year, according to the France 24 website.
Lewan’s photo has also been used in the past claiming to show a political prisoner detained in an underground tunnel since 1995 in the Sudanese city of Omduman. However, it was fact-checked by AFP and found to be false.
According to United Press International’s (UPI) article, Col. Ibrahim Shamseddine, Sudan’s former deputy minister of defence, died in a plane crash in 2001 alongside other senior military officers during an inspection visit to Malakal.
Real photos of Colonel Ibrahim Shamssedine, source: France 24
Conclusion:
The photos in the claim are not of Col. Ibrahim Shamseddine. The men in the photos are Omar Zain al-Abdin, former Head of the Sudanese military council’s political committee in uniform, and Lomoni Lewan whose photo was taken in the Turkana region of Kenya.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SudanTweet-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-09 19:42:332023-08-09 19:42:39Fact-check: Are these photos of Sudanese military general Col. Ibrahim Shemseddin?
The website is fake since WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in 2019
Writer: PesaCheck
This website submitted for fact-checking via PesaCheck’s WhatsApp Tipline, supposedly offering WhatsApp users 50GB of data as part of the company’s 10th anniversary, is a HOAX.
To get the purported data, participants are required to provide their phone numbers and share the link with 12 friends or in WhatsApp groups.
The website has several red flags, among them a suspicious URL, a request for personal details (phone number), and the requirement for users to share the link before receiving data. The red flags prompted us to investigate the website.
Despite PesaCheck following all the steps outlined in the alleged promotion, we did not receive the promised free data. In the final stage, the verification tab was unresponsive and repeatedly redirected us to unrelated web pages.
Additionally, we performed a Whois search and established that the website was registered on 29 January 2023, while the authentic WhatsApp website, Whatsapp.com, was registered in September 2008.
Legitimate sites are usually older than hoax sites. Bogus sites also tend to have concealed registrant details.
The website claims that the free data is in celebration of WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary. However, the instant messaging application was founded in 2009 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019.
On WhatsApp’s verified Twitter account and Facebook page, there’s no information on any such promotion.
PesaCheck examined a website submitted for fact-checking via PesaCheck’s WhatsApp Tipline, supposedly offering WhatsApp users 50GB of data as part of the company’s 10th anniversary celebration and found it to be a HOAX.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ALTERED-This-image-purportedly-of-Bill-Gates-under-armed-watch.png342679211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-08 19:58:092023-08-09 20:05:06HOAX: This website offering free 50GB data to celebrate WhatsApp’s 10th anniversary is a scam
The photo is from an old #DeathPenaltyFail campaign video.
Writer: PesaCheck
This image on a Facebook post purportedly of Bill Gates under armed watch by US Federal marshals at Guantanamo Bay is ALTERED.
The billionaire is strapped to a gurney, according to a claim attributed to TheWashington Post.
The post reads: “Bill Gates Arrested by US Federal Marshals; Being Held Under Armed Watch at Guantanamo Bay; Charged With War Crimes Against Humanity. Washington Post.”
A keyword search on The Washington Post’s website shows the media house did not publish such an article on Gates. There is also no information on the alleged arrest from a credible source.
A reverse image search on TinEye established that the image is old and is not of Gates as claimed.
The original image is from a YouTube video available on World News Network (WN.com) dated 16 April 2019 with the title, “#DeathPenaltyFail A Lethal Injection”.
The video description reads: “This video contains images that some viewers may find offensive. A painstaking reconstruction of a real-time execution by lethal injection that highlights some of the very specific issues relating to the USA’s preferred execution method. Using CCTV footage, authentic set design and a script based on real life events, the reality of a lethal injection is heightened to uncomfortable levels.*”
The video is part of the #DeathPenaltyFail campaign pushing for the repeal of the death penalty in the US. It appears on the campaign’s website and was first uploaded on 25 August 2016 on their YouTube channel.
A closer look at the image in the claim alongside the original one shows similarities that indicate Gate’s face was photoshopped into the latter, and a blue filter was added to the image in the claim to make it look different from the original.
PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post with an image purportedly of Bill Gates held under armed watch by US Federal marshals at Guantanamo Bay and finds it to be ALTERED.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ALTERED-This-image-purportedly-of-Bill-Gates-under-armed-watch.png342679211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-07 20:07:022023-08-09 20:13:00ALTERED: This image purportedly of Bill Gates under armed watch by US Federal marshals is manipulated
A widely circulated WhatsApp message claiming that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is running a poverty alleviation programme of up to KSh 107,736 thousand is a hoax.
On clicking the forwarded link, the site claims that the UN refugee agency has a government poverty alleviation subsidy and users are directed to a questionnaire that asks whether one knows UNHCR, the person’s age, one’s opinion about UNHCR, and the person’s gender.
After answering the four questions, it directs one to randomly choose one of the six boxes to win the prize.
After that, it states that one needs to share with five groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp in order to inform them about the promotion, and it requires an address to complete the registration before the gift is to be delivered within 5-7 days.
211 Check Investigation
A keyword search using “UNHCR government poverty alleviation subsidy” returned no such programme or subsidy.
The search result on Google also returned that the same claim was widely shared among WhatsApp users in Uganda in July 2023, which PesaCheck debunked as a hoax.
On further investigation, we found that the site’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link in the claim is flagged as dangerous and suspicious by Web Paranoid, a cyber security tool for checking the authenticity of the website. It also established that there is no link from the claim’s URL to any social media account or page, and the website was created less than half a year ago.
A Virustotal analysis of the claim’s URL also categorised it as malicious, malware, suspicious, and phishing.
The advert’s url also uses an outdated protocol which is not secured and supported on some devices.
A Whois domain search of the site’s URL shows that the domain name, which is different from the UNHCR’s domain, was registered in March 2023 and expires next year in March 2024.
The screenshot shot of the claim link’s domain data
Meanwhile, the WHOIS information on the UNHCR’s global website shows that its domain was registered in May 1997, and expires in May 2024.
The screenshot of the UNHCR WhoIs data
The website domain name fortunecash.click is also not consistent with the URLs of official organisations or institutions which usually have ‘.org’ in their URLS as is the case with the authentic UNHCR website.
It is clear that the domain does not match that of the legitimate UNHCR website, and there is no advertisement of such kind on its website including socialmedia accounts.
Conclusion:
The site appears to have impersonated UNHCR’s poverty alleviation coalition program that seeks to empower refugees and host communities around the world to overcome poverty.
However, the claim that UNHCR is running a government poverty alleviation subsidy is a hoax designed as a phishing scam to lure people to provide their personal information.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s important to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UNHCR-is-not-running-this.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-04 15:37:222023-08-04 15:37:29Fact-check: Is UNHCR running this poverty alleviation programme?
No, the photo shows Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama. It was taken during anti-government demonstrations in Kenya, where demonstrators attacked his hotel.
Writer: Jibi Moses
A picture of a man holding a pistol accompanying a story by the Ugandan website The Ankole Times, with the headline “Gun Drama Unfolds in Bugolobi Market, Private Security Guard Unleashes Mayhem,” is false.
The photo shows the man holding a pistol on a deserted road, with a few bodaboda men and journalists taking pictures. It also shows shopping arcades (stores) that were closed and a road that was clearly marked.
“In the not-so-bustling market of Bugolobi, a surprising turn of events unfolded when a private security guard, Aijuka Rode, decided to play cop in a local drinks and merchandise shop. Unfortunately, his aim wasn’t as impressive as his delusions of grandeur. A female shopkeeper, Mutesi Zainabu, found herself caught in the crossfire of an alleged altercation with our wannabe Rambo. Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the less-than-heroic incident…,”partially reads the article published on July 29, 2023.
211Check Investigation:
An internet search of the keywords “A guard shoots people at Bugolobi market” returns many results confirming the incident as reported by the following media houses, here, here, here, and here.
The news reports by the media established the identities of the guard as Arode Aijuka and the victim of the shooting as Zainabu Mutesi. The incident also reportedly took place at night, raising doubts about the image used by The Ankole Times.
A Reverse Image Search of the picture shows that the image has been used on earlier dates by different users, including the Ankole Times, this time with a headline on demonstrations in Kenya. The article makes reference to a Kenyan MP brandishing a firearm at protesters.
Consequently, a keyword search using ‘MP Holds a Gun in Kenya in 2023’ produced many results showing that the man in the photo is Nakuru West Member of Parliament Samuel Arama.
The MP reportedly drew his gun when a group of demonstrators allegedly vandalised his hotel during anti-government protests on July 19, 2023. The incident was widely reported, as seen here, here, here, and here.
In a news report by Kenyans.co.ke, the MP is quoted as having said: “We are all Kenyans; we also voted for Raila, but he lost to William Ruto. Why should these people destroying property not get shot?”
Conclusion.
211 Check finds the picture used by the Ankole Times purportedly showing a guard who shot a woman in Bugolobi as false and misleading. In the picture is Nakuru West Constituency MP Samuel Arama, The image was taken during the demonstrations in Kenya, where demonstrators allegedly vandalised his hotel.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives. Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BugolobiSecurityGuard-False.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-03 10:08:302023-08-03 10:08:37Fact-check: Was this picture of a man holding a gun taken in Bugolobi, Kampala?
A video shared on Facebook on December 15th, 2022, and still making the rounds on social media, claims that Coca-Cola, which is one of the sugar-sweetened beverages, is not fit for the human body.
The three-minute video shows a Coca-Cola drink being poured into a saucepan and is accompanied by text that reads: “I will never buy Coca-Cola again. I discovered the secret.”
The screenshot of the heating stove while Coca-Cola drink is being poured
The video features a female voice narration demonstrating the effects of heating Coca-Cola on a hot stove in a saucepan. The narrator warns people not to drink Coca-Cola while raising questions about its chemical composition.
The video alleges that Coca-Cola contains sugar and other harmful chemicals for the body. However, it does not specify the exact nature of these chemicals in Coca-Cola drinks.
“Don’t take this. Do you know that you are in danger by taking it? I’m going to show you now why you can not take it. Look now, I’m going to put about two bottles in a pot, and I will show you the danger you are running. People often do not know what they are taking. What is really the composition of Coca-cola? This drink has its chemistry. It is not really good for [the] human body. When you take it you feel your blood pressure rise,” the female’s voice explanation about the Coca-Cola drink on the video claimed. Four people die of diabetes. It is something very dangerous. The whole world knows that the sugar level is very high. It does more damage to your health,” the narrator claims.
Additionally, the video suggests Kappa Tea as a healthier alternative, emphasising that it is produced ‘without sugar’.
211 Check researched on Coca-Cola drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages, using publicly available data or literature on beverage drinks; and it gathered that excessive consumption of such drinks is unhealthy for the human body.
A study published in 2015 by the U.S.-based National Institute of Health, estimated that 184,000 people globally died due to sugary drink consumption.
“Worldwide, the model estimated 184,000 deaths/year attributable to Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) consumption: 133,000 (126,000–139,000) from diabetes, 45,000 (26,000–61,000) from cardiovascular diseases, and 6,450 (4,300–8,600) from cancers. 5.0% of SSB-related deaths occurred in low-income, 70.9% in middle-income, and 24.1% in high-income countries,” indicates the study.
Similarly, a 2016 study on rats examined the effects of Coca-Cola consumption on rodents and found that those who consumed the beverage developed kidney and liver malfunctions compared to rats that did not drink it. Notably, the study emphasized the need for further research to confirm whether these effects extend to humans.
Likewise, in 2018, the National Institute of Health published a literature review detailing the impact of sugary drinks on the brain. The review revealed that sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of stroke and dementia due to the compounds and chemicals they contain.
According to Medical News Today, regular consumption of sugary drinks can increase blood sugar levels and affect the brain’s pleasure centres in a manner similar to heroin. There is also a confirmed link between sugary drinks and diabetes and their adverse effects on kidney and liver activity.
However, the report suggests that moderate consumption of Coca-Cola and sugar-sweetened beverages has only a minimal impact on human health.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Australia, in one of its advisories, acknowledges that many of its beverages contain sugar and that moderate consumption is considered healthy. Nevertheless, excessive consumption is not advisable for human health.
“Many of our beverages contain sugar, which has kilojoules. While sugar is fine in moderation, too much of it isn’t good for anyone. Consuming too many kilojoules, including soft drinks with sugar, can contribute to weight gain,” it said on its website.
In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines on free sugar intake, recommending less than 10% of total daily energy consumption for adults and children. It further conditionally suggested reducing free sugar intake to less than 5%, equivalent to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day, for better health.
Free sugars include those added to foods and drinks by manufacturers, cooks, or consumers and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juice concentrates. A single can of sugar-sweetened soda contains up to 40 grams (around ten teaspoons) of free sugar, according to the WHO.
According to a 2022 report by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay, cavities, gout, and arthritis. To maintain a healthy weight and dietary pattern, individuals are advised to limit their intake of sugary drinks.
To maintain good health and a healthy weight, individuals should consume these drinks moderately to reduce the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular issues, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, and related illnesses.
To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.
It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter
https://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/sugar-sweetened-beverages.png6281200211 Checkhttps://211check.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/211Check_logo-1-300x120.png211 Check2023-08-01 16:57:222023-08-01 16:57:24Explainer: Is the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages harmful to human health?
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