Too much sugar, beware of disease

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Extract from the article: In addition to diabetes and obesity, sugar promotes many other illnesses: increased triglyceride and fat levels, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Sugar also promotes the development of certain cancers: colon, stomach, pancreas, uterus

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In addition to diabetes and obesity, sugar promotes many other illnesses: increased triglyceride and fat levels, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Sugar also promotes the development of certain cancers: colon, stomach, pancreas, uterus and breast. It's hard to escape this addiction, because sugar is everywhere, even where you least expect it.

Children need to cut down on sugar

Sugar doesn't affect children's behavior. It may simply be the result of the environment in which the food is consumed, which can make children more excitable. However, sugar does increase their blood pressure and their levels of unhealthy fats. By reducing the amount of sugar consumed by a child for 9 days, levels return to normal. Beware of brain-damaging sugar.

The recommended maximum sugar intake per day and age group is as follows: 4-6 years: 19 grams (5 teaspoons); 7-10 years: 24 grams (6 teaspoons) and 11 years and over: 30 grams (7 teaspoons). For children under 4, there is no limit, but sugary drinks and foods containing added sugar should be avoided.

“No sugar added” does not mean ”healthy

Even if the packaging says “100% juice”, that doesn't mean you have to drink it all at once.The beverage may not contain added sweeteners, but the natural sugar in it is far more concentrated than you'd find in a piece of fruit.Unlike oranges and apples, which contain a high level of fiber...

How can we wean ourselves off sugar?

Increase your intake of vegetables and, above all, wholegrain cereals such as wholemeal bread, to get back in touch with complex carbohydrates.Make the most of dried fruit, which contains a treasure trove of minerals and vitamins, or a little honey.If you can't resist sweetening your coffee, opt for wholegrain brown sugar or honey.Finally, to detoxify and wean yourself off sugar, exercise.It's a great way to reduce stress and get your body, and your spirits, back in shape.

William O.

Article validated by Tabago Dissirama, nutrition and food safety engineer at the Nutritional Recovery Unit, CHU Sylvanus Olympio (Togo).