Sugar free diet: the false good idea
Books, blogs, testimonials on social networks. For several years, « no » diets are supposed to delight people looking to lose weight, or keep the line.
No gluten, no lactose or no fat. These withdrawal-based diets are proving popular among the general public, but are of great concern to the specialist community.
This is the case of the so-called « sugar-free » diet, highlighted by several American celebrities, and which is attracting more and more followers.
So what are the risks of a « sugar-free » diet on health? Decryption!
What does sugar-free mean?
No, setting up a sugar-free diet is not just about putting sodas, cookies and ready meals aside.
Indeed, sugars are not present only in these food products called « sweet ». Natural sugars and added sugars are everywhere, from starchy fruits to dairy products.
Going into a sugar-free diet in the strict sense of the word therefore means drastic restrictions on many food products that are necessary for our balance and health.
The essential sugar for health
To starve yourself of fruits and starchy foods is to deprive your body of sugars, sometimes considered bad for your health. But it is also depriving the body of nutrients that have a protective effect against diseases such as cancer, or cardiovascular disease.
Sugar deficiency that also increases the potential risk of kidney stones in the diet subjects, due to increased acidification of the urine. Finally, carbohydrates are an important fuel for our muscles and to cover the needs of our brains. It would be all the more damage to deprive ourselves completely.
Mixed results
Lose weight quickly by stopping your sugar intake. The idea seems indeed enticing. But in the end not so effective as that. In addition to being dangerous to health, so-called « sugar-free » diets are not particularly effective.
Indeed, if depriving your body of carbohydrates allows it to consume more fat, and therefore lose weight faster, some studies have shown significant limitations in the long-term. More exactly after one year, these follow-ups have shown that the results of such weaning are not superior to other methods, healthier and more balanced.
In short, a single keyword for your health: moderation and not deprivation.
