As part of the distribution between added sugars and sugars of natural origin (fruits and vegetables) in the French diet, ANSES indicates that its recommendation is in line with that of the WHO aimed at maintaining the intake of free sugars less than 10% of the total energy.
French recommendations define total sugars as all sugars containing fructose and exclude lactose and galactose, while WHO free sugars are defined as added sugars of all types plus fruit juices and juice concentrates of fruits.
To reduce the 20 to 30% of French adults consuming more than 100 g of accumulated sugar per day, ANSES recommends:
- To ensure that sugary products are limited in vending machines, particularly in educational institutions (schools, universities, etc.).
- To put in place systems to restrict the incentive to consume sweet products (advertising, gifts, etc.).
ANSES’s work on intense sweeteners (also called artificial sweeteners) showed that they had no beneficial effects on weight control, blood sugar levels in people with diabetes or the incidence of type 2 diabetes. They recommend reducing sugar intake by reducing the overall sweetness of foods, starting at an early age. They also advise against consuming artificially sweetened beverages as a substitute for water.
What impact does sugar have on our health?
Sugar may seem like a harmless indulgence, but in reality, even a little excess sugar can have serious effects on your health.
Myth: Your body needs added sugars to function.
Before we dive into the effects of added sugars, it’s important to dispel this pervasive myth that drives many people to consume sugar. It’s not uncommon for many people to rationalize their snacking habit by mistakenly thinking that it provides their body with essential carbohydrates for certain functions, including metabolism.
It’s true that your body needs sugars – or carbs – to function and stay healthy. But he is quite capable of finding all the natural sugars he needs in a healthy, balanced diet. In fact, these added sugars cause serious short-term and long-term health issues, like those listed below.
Sugar and your body.
When most people think of sugar-related health issues, they think of type 2 diabetes or weight gain. These serious health problems are absolutely linked to sugar consumption, and are reason enough to reduce the amount of sugar you consume. However, as serious as diabetes and obesity can be, they are certainly not the only health problems associated with sugar.
Heart problems :
Research shows that people who eat too much sugar have a significantly higher risk of heart disease — up to a 38% increase — compared to those who control their sugar intake.
Cavities:
You’re not the only one who loves sugar – so do bacteria, including those that cause cavities. Excess sugar increases the risk of cavities, which can lead to permanent tooth loss.
Joint problems:
Sugar is a major catalyst for inflammation throughout the body. In fact, increased inflammation is one of the reasons excess sugar increases the risk of heart problems. Inflammation also acts on your joints, increasing your risk of joint pain and mobility issues.
Liver damage:
Some types of added sugars are processed by the liver. Over time, overconsumption can lead to fatty liver disease, liver scarring, and other types of liver problems.
Erectile function:
Too much sugar can have a negative effect on blood circulation, including increasing the circulation needed to get and maintain an erection.
Vision problems:
Too much sugar in the blood can damage the retina, the light-sensitive back “wall” of the eye. Vision loss is a relatively common side effect of uncontrolled diabetes.
Mood issues:
Excessive sugar consumption has also been linked to emotional and mental health problems, particularly an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
