Warning: terrifying info! According to a new study conducted by the prestigious University College London (in England), a diet high in sugars would reducelife expectancy…
The work was carried out on … flies. The scientists carried out a small experiment for 3 weeks with two groups of female flies: the first group was entitled to a balanced diet with only 5% of sugars, while the second group (lucky?) Benefited from a daily calorie quota established at 40% of carbohydrates – a sugar intake 8 times higher, therefore.
Results ? Scientists found that group 2 flies (those which gorged themselves on sugar for 3 weeks) had an average lifespan of 7% less than group 1 flies (those which had the right to good babies healthy dishes for 3 weeks). Concretely, these last lived approximately 90 days against 84 days the stupid ones of the other group.
The culprit: the FOXO gene
Behind this phenomenon, there is of course a history of genetics. The researchers understood that, in group 2 flies, the expression of a gene was inhibited by excess sugar. However, the FOXO gene is generally involved in the notion of longevity in flies, fungi, worms … and humans.
“For the moment, we do not know if this genetic phenomenon is transposable to humans, notes Dr. Adam Dobson, co-author of this work published in the specialized journal. Cell Reports. However, we know that excess sugar is linked to premature aging of cells, so we can fear an impact on human life expectancy. “
One more good reason to drastically reduce the contents of our cake cupboard for 2017 …
To read :
Infographic: the health effects of sugar
The sugar industry would have paid scientists
Nutrition: we should not exceed 6 lumps of sugar per day
