Many people, eager to preserve their beauty capital, opt for a healthier food program. Thus, to keep the line, they decide to abolish sugar from their diet and replace it with less caloric alternatives. They then choose to consume "light" drinks, containing artificial sweeteners that a priori do not make you fat. But the scientific community remains skeptical and mixed about their health consequences. Indecision that has pushed many foreign media to address the issue.
It is a healthy initiative to want to monitor your weight and feed yourself accordingly. Indeed, obesity is a societal scourge that directly attacks the physical and psychological well-being of a person. In addition, the modern day diet is loaded with sugars and fats and goes against a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, some people think that replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners can be an adequate solution to their weight problems. So, no need to deprive ourselves of our favorite drinks since the industrialists understood our will to remain thin. Yet, the subject continues to divide scientists who have trouble assessing whether or not aspartame is a non-grata ingredient in our kitchens.
Study provokes controversy
According to a study published by Stroke, the American Heart Association's journal of reference, artificial sweeteners increase the risk of stroke and dementia by up to 3x for a light drink consumed per day. These conclusions made the effect of a real pavement in the pond and were relayed by many media. Indeed, faced with the uncertainty prevailing on the subject, any new information arouses the general interest in order to unravel the truth of the false as to the real danger of this "false sugar".
However, while many people see these results as an alarmist, the authors of the study do not fail to point out that the cause-and-effect relationship remains undetermined, as their research was based solely on observations and questionnaires about participants' eating habits.
In his article, the Dispatch explains that despite the various factors taken into account, there remains an important limitation related to pre-existing conditions of diabetes that could have triggered during the 10 years of the study. These limitations are confirmed by the Harvard Medical School which, although it recommends sweetener moderation, would like to point out that some family antecedents were not taken into account and that the comparison with the risks related to sugar did not has not been established and other foods containing aspartame have not been studied.
A study published in 2010 at the time showed an increase in liver and lung cancer in mice, says Dr. Davide Degli Esposti relayed by our colleagues at RTBF, this study has since been challenged by the European safety authority food.
But is the European authority really objective? The MEP Marc Tarabella questions the independence of scientists Efsa (the European authority), denouncing the connivance of their director with the food industry as the recall Le Figaro.
What about artificial sweeteners?
According to the US and European agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the majority of the negative studies on aspartame can not establish a direct link between the sweetener and the risks to food safety. health. As the Figaro explains, for the latter "a dose of 40 micrograms per kilogram per day is an adequate protection for the general population".
Nevertheless, the French health authorities prefer to reduce their consumption, especially for children and pregnant women. Jean François Narbonne, professor of food toxicology and expert at the National Agency for Food Safety, reminded the Figaro that given the many studies raising the veil on a potential danger of aspartame, caution is to setting. According to the expert, it is useless to take risks as long as the question related to their dangers has not yet been unanimously accepted.
How to reduce the consumption of soft drinks?
Knowing that soft drinks, normal or light, present a certain risk, here are some tips to protect you and take care of your health:
Gradually decrease your consumption of soft drinks
Often, people who consume sodas know that they are harmful but can not help it. Thus, as any habit to abolish, it must be done gradually. Reduce your consumption day by day so you do not feel frustration.
Make a plan
What is your concrete goal? Stop permanently or reduce your consumption? In any case, make a plan in writing and note your evolution day after day. Depending on your abilities and feelings, you can readjust the plan so that it is not binding.
Have a healthy routine
This process of stopping can lead to more or less painful withdrawal symptoms. To alleviate them, stay hydrated throughout the day and consume healthy and satisfying foods. Also practice regular physical activity and get enough sleep to reduce the feeling of lack.