Like the fight against excess salt, British scientists are arguing in favor of an action campaign to reduce sugar consumption.
Encouraging food manufacturers to reduce sugar levels could slow the obesity epidemic, British scientists recently said, who set up a think tank (Action on sugar). “The food industry could easily reduce the amount of sugar added to products by 20% to 30%,” said Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiology at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, who had initiated a group of action on reducing salt consumption. “If this measure were implemented by manufacturers, it would result in a reduction of around 100 kilocalories per day per person. “According to Prof. MacGregor,” It’s a simple plan that helps reduce the very large amounts of sugar added by the food industry to our food. ”
Sugar even in the ham
Flavored waters, drinks for sportsmen, yogurths, ketchup, ready meals but also sandwiches or brioche breads, breakfast cereals… So many products used on a daily basis that could be affected by this measure. For Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist and author of numerous dietetic books, the measure would not be so easy to apply to the industry. He argues in the first place for more precise labeling of the composition of food products. “My patients are always very astonished to learn that by consuming industrial ham, they absorb not only protein but also sugar, testifies the nutritionist. It is therefore necessary to make them aware in a legible and precise way what is in their favorite dishes. “
Listen to Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist. ” There are misconceptions. Sometimes, we see sugar where there is not necessarily, as in some chocolates, and conversely we do not see sugar where there is such as in ham. So we have to get industry labeling that is more straightforward. “
No feeling of fullness with added sugar
British scientists are also calling for a reduction in agri-food advertising aimed at children. “The food industry must immediately stop targeting children with massive advertising of high calorie snacks and sodas,” they stressed. “The added sugar has no nutritional value, does not cause a feeling of satiety, which is a major cause of obesity,” said Dr Aseem Malhotra, cardiologist and scientific director of the group ” Action on sugar “. “It should be understood that glucose is essential for living, it is especially consumed by neurons, recalls Dr. Arnaud Cocaul. “Conversely, added sugars, such as sucrose, are absolutely not. These sugars increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease. “
Listen to Dr Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist. ” With sugary drinks, there is no satiety phenomenon. Young people who drink a soda can consume 120 to 130 calories per glass during the day, but at mealtimes, their brain does not send them instructions to reduce calorie intake. “
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