Sugar is everywhere and we eat too much. Including without our knowledge, because it is hidden even in industrial salty foods like ham, sausages, and even soups.

"Eating too much sugar would not be a problem in itself if the body knew how to eliminate it easily.It is not the case.In the body, it produces violent and harmful hormonal reactions that constitute threats to the metabolism and for the body, "warns Dr. Pierre Nys, endocrinologist-nutritionist.

Sugar, an addictive as powerful as a drug

In the case of heavy sugar users, doctors saw pre-cirrhosis of the liver with cellular lesions, the Nash, which was observed only in alcoholic patients.

Excess sugar also promotes cardiovascular disorders - it lowers the rate of good HDL cholesterol, increases the risk of hypertension and triglyceride levels -, diabetes, obesity, overweight - which affects 30% of adults - it accelerates cellular aging and the proliferation of intestinal yeasts, responsible for repeated mycosis and transit disorders.

But above all: "Sugar is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, confirms Dr. Serge Ahmed, CNRS researcher and specialist in this addiction.Glucose acts on the same neurons of the brain as a drug , those that generate the "By activating the brain's reward system, it conditions our food preferences, because once these neurons are activated, we want to irrepressibly consume the product again."

All sugars are not equal

Not all sugars have the same impact: "Do not confuse industrial sugars such as sucrose (composed of glucose and fructose and derived from sugar cane or sugar beet), glucose-fructose syrup , fructose syrup, in which are bathed the sweet products, and the carbohydrates naturally present in starchy foods, legumes and complete cereals .

Without them, the heart pump does not work, the brain has no fuel, the intestines do not digest, the lungs do not breathe, "insists Professor Jean-Jacques Altman, a diabetologist at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital, Paris.

Fructose is a special case depending on whether it is swallowed in a fruit or an industrial dish.

"Fructose turns into triglycerides effect, fats circulating in the blood, harmful because they clog the arteries.Industrial food is riddled with it, says Professor Altman.In a fruit, it is combined with fiber, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, which limits its incidence. "

Sugar, yes, but in small quantities

It is therefore consumed in small quantities, but no way to banish it.

The correct dose according to the WHO: less than 5% of our daily caloric intake in the form of simple sugars added, either 25 g or 6 c. coffee.

We therefore limit industrial foods (pastries, ready meals ...) and the one used to sweeten dairy products, tea, coffee ... However, our specialists do not advocate the use of sweeteners. And we favor foods that are naturally filled: 2 to 3 fruits a day, two portions of starchy foods, whole grains and legumes.

"Fast and refined sugars are not forbidden," says Prof. Altman, "but in a very small quantity, and given the lack of flavor of industrial biscuits, you can do without it and concoct an excellent homemade pastry."