We know that sugar is not good for our health! It has already been singled out in the development of theobesity, from diabetes, of the’arterial hypertension, from cholesterol, or even cardiovascular illnesses. According to a new French study, published in the British Medical Journal this Wednesday July 10, the sugary drinks would also increase the risk of cancer, particularly that of the breast.
To reach these conclusions, the nutritional epidemiology research team at Inserm followed the eating habits of more than 100,000 people for nine years (78% women and 21% men). They defined as sugary drinks the liquids containing more than 5% of sugar in their composition. This included fruit juices (even without added sugars), soft drinks, sugary milks, teas or coffees, and energy drinks. At the end of the research, 2,193 cancers were identified among the participants, including 693 of the breast, 291 of the prostate and 166 of the colon.
A risk increased by 18%
The researchers finally concluded that an increase of 100 mL of a sugary drink per day, or about two cans per week, would increase the risk of developing cancer by 18%. And they did not observe any difference between a 100% pure fruit juice and a soda. A result which does not make it possible to prove the link of cause and effect, but which demonstrates a “significant association”, they explain. Other populations will have to be studied to draw definitive proof.
On the other hand, lovers of sugary drinks are more likely to engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as consuming more salt or calories, which also increases the risk. However, the scientists took into account the socio-demographic data and the lifestyles of the volunteers (age, sex, alcohol consumption, level of study, physical activity, etc.).
Excessive consumption of sugars also increases weight gain. Or theobesity is a major factor in many cancers. These data suggest an association between sugary drinks and tumors. But again, the researchers assure that sugar is not the only suspected culprit. They also suspect that some chemicals incorporated, such as those that give the product a beautiful color, are also to blame. So-called “sugar-free” and “zero-calorie” diet drinks, containing sweeteners, have thus been studied. But no link has yet been found.
Recommendations and restrictions
“These data confirm the relevance of existing nutritional recommendations for limiting the consumption of sugary drinks, including 100% fruit juices, as well as policy measures such as tax restrictions and marketing restrictions targeting sugary drinks.”, indicates their report.
These conclusions are consistent with what Public Health France recommends, that is to say to drink less than one glass of sugary drink per day. Since July 1, 2018 in France, a “soda tax” has also been in effect to fight against the explosion of pathologies linked to sugar.
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