For the first time, researchers from Inra, Danone Nutricia Research and Inserm have estimated the consumption of free sugars in France. We call “free sugars”, the sugars added to food and drinks, as well as the sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.
The researchers found that 41% of adults exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation threshold of 10% of daily energy intake.
Their results have just been published online in the journal Nutrients.
Cakes and pastries are the primary sources of sugar
By analyzing the data from the Inca2 food consumption survey, the researchers were able to establish the main sources of free sugars in the diet of the French:
• Sweet products (61 to 68% of free sugar intake via decreasing order of importance: cakes and pastries, sugar, honey, jam, spread, confectionery, chocolate, cookies, dairy desserts and desserts, pastries).
• Drinks (15 to 27% of free sugars via sodas and Juice).
• Dairy products (6 to 7% of free sugars via the sweet / flavored / fruit yogurts and flavored milks).
“People who consume too many free sugars also have higher energy intakes than others, especially outside of meals. Their diet is of lower nutritional quality because they not only consume more sugary products and drinks but also less. fruits and vegetables “ underlines INRA in a press release.
More fresh fruit and more water
Using a modeling method, scientists were able to identify individual dietary changes that would meet the WHO recommendation on free sugars. The nutritional quality of the French diet could be optimized by increasing the quantities of fresh fruit, vegetables, starchy foods, plain yogurts, water and hot drinks and a reduction in the quantities of meat, mixed dishes and cheese.
More specifically, we should reduce our consumption of sugary drinks by 66%, fruit juice by 30% and sugary products by 21%.
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