Teh Tarik Not The Cause Of Stroke, Says Health Minister

PENANG, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Thursday clarified that the habit of drinking teh tarik is not the cause of stroke among Malaysians.
Its Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said high blood pressure, diabetes, life stress and smoking or practising an unhealthy lifestyle as among the factors which contributed to stroke.
He said that the issue came about as teh tarik contained high level of sugar or condensed milk which could contribute to diabetes, while one of the factors for stroke pointed to this disease. (diabetes).
Chua added that the statement saying drinking teh tarik was among the contributing factors to stroke among Malaysians was not accurate as it was not proven by any research.
He was commenting on a report in the local media which quoted a physiotherapist Dr Balwant Singh Bains as saying that more younger generation in this country were exposed to stroke and one of the reasons was their passion for teh tarik.
"We welcome any views from medical or health practitioners but any views should be backed by strong evidence, such as saying that obese people are more prone to stroke, " he told reporters after officiating the Linear Accelerator machine for cancer here today.
Chua added, inaccurate statements could create worry amongst the public and hence, such claims must be supported by strong evidence.
He said that Malaysia recorded 50,000 stroke cases a year and this meant that in every hour, six Malaysians were attacked by stroke and it was thus a high rate.
Studies found that 60 per cent of those attacked by stroke had high blood pressure.
"So as to avoid any disease, people should practice a healthy lifestyle by taking care of their food intake and exercise, and do not smoke," he said.
Chua said that studies also found 20 per cent of Malaysians had excessive body weight and Malaysians had been taking 120gm of sugar on average, when it should only be 50mg.