For the first time, researchers from Inra, Danone Nutricia Research and Inserm have estimated the consumption of free sugars in France. The term “free sugars” refers to the sugars added to foods 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 main 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, in descending order of importance: cakes and pastries, sugar, honey, jam, spreadconfectionery, chocolate, biscuits, dairy desserts and entremets, pastries).
• Beverages (15 to 27% of free sugars via sodas and Juice).
• Dairy products (6 to 7% of free sugars via sweetened/flavored/fruit yoghurts and flavored milks).
“People who consume too much free sugar also have higher energy intake than others, especially outside meals. Their diet is of lower nutritional quality because they not only consume more sugary products and drinks but also less fruits and vegetables” emphasizes INRA in a press release.
More fresh fruit and more water
Thanks to a modeling method, the scientists managed to identify the individual dietary changes that would make it possible to comply with the WHO recommendation on free sugars. The nutritional quality of the diet of the French could be optimized by increasing the quantities of fresh fruit, vegetables, starchy foods, plain yogurts, water and hot drinks and reducing 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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