2023-05-14 01:07:55
He Reina Sofía University Hospital (HURS) and the COVAP Cup, a partner entity of this project, conclude that a consumption of free sugars greater than 10% of daily caloric intake (approximately 2,000 Kcal/day) can alter the microbiota and generate metabolic and cardiovascular problems, such as obesity, diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
For Aura Dulcinea Herrera specialist in Endocrinology of the Reina Sofía University Hospital (HURS) and researcher of Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC) “It is essential to differentiate between sugar naturally present in food and free sugars. Natural foods not only contain carbohydrates (sugars), they also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber in different proportions.
For his part, he adds, “free sugars would be represented by monosaccharides and/or disaccharides added by both the consumer and the manufacturer to sweeten food, as well as the sugars present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and concentrates.” of fruit juices. Hence, it is recommended to consume the whole fruit instead of the juices, even if they are made from natural fruit.
The World Health Organization has published a series of recommendations on the intake of free sugars in order to reduce the risk of contracting non-communicable diseases in adults and children, especially to prevent obesity and dental caries.
Free sugars significantly increase the overall caloric density of the diet, and therefore the risk of overweight and obesity. Maintaining an adequate caloric balance is essential to maintain a healthy body weight ensuring optimal nutrient intake. That is why the OMS recommends a reduced intake of free sugars throughout life, both in adults and children, the intake of free sugars should be less than 10% of the total caloric intake, in fact, they suggest that it be reduced to less than 5 % of total caloric intake.
According to Herrera, “in Spain, 16% of the adult population is obese (up to almost 20% in communities such as Andalusia, Asturias or Murcia) and in children under 17 years of age, the rate reaches 10.3% (up to 18 % in Ceuta or 14% in Murcia). The great problem of obesity is not aesthetics, obesity is a chronic disease that is accompanied by multiple metabolic complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
“Free sugars significantly increase the overall caloric density of the diet, and therefore the risk of overweight and obesity”
According to him di@betes study, the incidence of diabetes adjusted for age and sex in the Spanish population is 11.6 cases/1000 inhabitants-year, this means that every year around 386,000 new cases of diabetes appear in the adult population, being obesity, obesity heart disease and weight gain some of the most relevant risk factors. Hence the importance of preventing obesity, it is a public health problem and it is the great pandemic of this century.
When asked if it is common for sugar consumption in children to be higher than 10%, Dr. Herrera states: «Yes. A study reflecting the consumption of sugars in 11 European countries (Belgium, France, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom) reported that relative sugar intakes were higher in children than in adults ( 15-21% in adults and 16-26% in children). Specifically, added sugars contributed 7 to 11% of total energy intake in adults and represented a higher proportion of energy intake in children (11 to 17%). These data, together with the figures for the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spain and other countries, reveal that it is more frequent than we think.
«A high intake of sugar can unbalance the microbiota, as a consequence, its pro-inflammatory properties increase»
The effect of sugar on the microbiota
Excessive sugar consumption is a risk factor for the development of several disorders, including metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, and even some types of cancer; it has also been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the general population and in children. It has been shown that the consumption of a diet with excessive amounts of saturated fats, added sugars and a low consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber can directly affect the composition and functionality of the intestinal microbiota.
“Recent studies suggest that high sugar intake increases the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the intestine, while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes. Therefore, a high intake of sugar can unbalance the microbiota, as a consequence, increase its pro-inflammatory properties and decrease its ability to regulate epithelial integrity and mucosal immunity, therefore, a high sugar in the diet can have many harmful effects on health, in addition to providing excess energy.
«The great problem of obesity is not aesthetics, obesity is a chronic disease that is accompanied by multiple metabolic complications»
For some years now, reducing the dietary intake of sugars has been recommended to deal with the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and/or obesity.
Consequently, the use of alternative sweeteners, particularly those with low caloric content, has gained popularity. Although added sugars in the form of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners are generally considered safe, recent studies have also correlated their consumption with adverse effects on the body. intestinal microbial ecosystem; that is, an abnormal synthesis of short-chain fatty acids, alteration in the intestinal barrier and chronic inflammation, so it is essential to limit its use, and promote the intake of sugar typical of natural foods such as fruits or cereals.
Another aspect to take into account is that, although they represent alternatives to reduce the caloric density of food, their use does not make sweetened food a healthy food, it is important to assess other components such as fats, especially saturated fats and additives, among others.
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