In its new recommendations, ANSES insists on the need to limit the consumption of meat, but even more so of cold meats and sugary drinks.
To fill their plate healthily, the French are invited to follow the current benchmarks of the National Health Nutrition Program (PNNS). These essential tips for staying healthy relate to different food groups (fruits and vegetables, starches, etc.) and physical activity. With variations for specific populations (elderly people, children, adolescents, pregnant women, etc.). But the evolution of scientific data over the past ten years has allowed these benchmarks to be revised. Last February, ANSES issued a first opinion on the issue of benchmarks for physical activity and sedentary lifestyle.
The Agency is continuing this work with the publication this Tuesday of its opinions relating to the updating of benchmarks of food consumption. They lead to “strong” changes with regard to previous recommendations. They relate on the one hand to a “reinforced” and “regular” consumption of legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas, etc.), and on the other hand to the need to favor the least refined cereal products (breads, pasta and whole or semi-complete rice). In addition, ANSES reiterates the interest for health in promoting the consumption of vegetable oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid (rapeseed and walnut oils).
Strong evolutions
Regarding the famous slogan “5 fruits and vegetables per day” it is not buried. ANSES indicates that the consumption of fruit and vegetables remains “crucial”. They must therefore, according to the Agency, be reinforced by favoring vegetables. ANSES also stresses that the consumption of sugary drinks must be less than one glass per day. Lovers of soda or fruit juice type drinks are therefore invited to moderation.
Finally, the Agency insists on the importance of reducing “considerably” the consumption of cold meats (ham, sausage, sausage, pâté, etc.) so that it does not exceed 25 g per day. The consumption of meat excluding poultry (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) should not exceed 500 g per week. The benefit of twice-weekly consumption of fish, including fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, etc..), is also reaffirmed.
Reduce the level of food contamination
ANSES maintains that certain nutrients, in particular sodium and sugars, still constitute major public health issues. In any case when they are associated with excess consumption. Also, for sodium, the food combinations proposed must make it possible to remain below the average consumption of the French population, by reducing the intake among heavy consumers. In addition, elements converge towards the harmful effects of high intake of sugars, beyond a maximum intake limit. With the aim of reducing total intakes for the population most at risk, controlling the consumption of foods that carry added sugars, in particular with regard to drinks, again appears “crucial”, writes ANSES.
For a limited number of contaminants, including inorganic arsenic, acrylamide (cancer risk) and lead, exposure levels remain “of concern”. Reduction efforts therefore remain “necessary”, adds the Agency. She concludes that “they will allow, in the long term, the food choices of the population to be governed by nutritional constraints and not by the levels of contamination of the food”. In this context, ANSES reiterates its recommendation that consumers diversify their diet and sources of supply.
Reassess vitamin D status
But some controversy will remain despite this publication. For example, the dietary need for vitamin D is still the subject of many scientific debates, in particular because of the difficulty in estimating the quantity of this vitamin synthesized by the body thanks to sun exposure.
The Agency therefore recommends that a study be carried out to assess the vitamin D status of the French population. Its objective is to put in place adequate management measures. Proposals for precise sun exposure recommendations must in particular be compatible with the prevention of skin cancer.
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