TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A healthy immune system is an important weapon to fight against COVID-19, as it will be able to combat all kinds of viruses and bacteria.

The Jakarta Health Service Chief of Non-infectious Disease, Mental Health, and Narcotics Division, Endang Sri Wahyuningsih, explained that cutting down on sugar, salt and fat can result in a better immune system. Excessive consumption of sugar, fat, and salt can increase a person's risk of developing degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol.

"For example, diabetes. Characterized by uncontrolled sugar levels, diabetes can increase the risk of inflammation in the body, meaning that the immune system cannot work properly in fighting disease and infection," she said in a Teleconference Media Workshop Online with Nutrifood in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

More specifically, Endang explained that each person should only consume a maximum of 52.5 grams of sugar, 2000 milligrams of salt, and 60 grams of fat per day.

“That (amount) is a good rule of thumb and is suitable for the energy sufficiency of the Indonesian people. If you find calculating it is too difficult, it would be easier to limit consumption to 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 5 tablespoons of fat every day," she added.

SARAH ERVINA DARA SIYAHAILATUA | Translator: DIO SUHENDA (Intern)