We know that sugar is not good for our health! It has already been singled out in the development of theobesityfrom diabetesof the’high blood pressurefrom cholesterolor 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 cancerparticularly 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 liquids containing more than 5% sugar in their composition. This included fruit juices (even without added sugar), soft drinks, sweetened milks, teas or coffees and energy drinks. At the end of the research, 2,193 cancers were identified among the participants, including 693 breast, 291 prostate and 166 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 difference between a 100% pure fruit juice and a soda. A result that does not prove the causal link, but that demonstrates a “significant association”, they explain. Other populations will need to be studied for definitive proof.
In addition, sugar-sweetened drinkers are more likely to engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as consume 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. Gold theobesity is a major contributor to 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 certain chemicals incorporated, such as those that give the product a nice 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 Limitations
“These data confirm the relevance of existing nutritional recommendations to limit the consumption of sugary drinks, including 100% fruit juice, as well as policy measures such as tax restrictions and marketing restrictions targeting sugary drinks”says 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 force to fight against the explosion of sugar-related pathologies.
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