CGTN's 'Sweet Planet' documentary doesn't sugarcoat our love for treats

It's hard to find a place in the world where people don't have a sweet tooth. A new documentary from CGTN illustrates how we have long had a taste for sugary treats.

'Sweet Planet' examines the world-wide fascination with sugary goods and sweet delights. While it showcased the joy such treats can deliver, the documentary also called for restraint.

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The chief executive of Insight TV, which worked in partnership with CGTN on Sweet Planet, said sugary goods should be consumed in moderation.

The World Health Organization recommends reducing sugar intake to lower the risk of developing health complications, like weight gain and tooth decay.

"It's a case of telling stories that have evolved over centuries," said Rian Bester, chief executive of Insight TV, Netherlands. "These sugary things have been around for a long time and I really think that in its processed form we are consuming too much today (and this) is really where the problem lies, not (sugar) in itself."

Bester added: "I think that it will always have a part of our lives and should stay that way."

The documentary takes the viewer on a journey around the world of cakes, sugar and ice-cream, from pastries in Argentina to deep-fried dough balls in Pakistan.

The minister-counsellor from the Chinese embassy in the Netherlands said the film contained a deeper message about how food unites the world.

"Sweet Planet is not only about satisfying our craving for sweetness, it is a testament for the unifying power of food, celebrating shared humanity across borders," Cai Renjun told CGTN.

The film was launched at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. It's one of the most famous museums in the country, with some of the world's most renowned artworks, like Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.

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