It is present in the most consumed foods on a daily basis, often several times a day, without us even thinking about it. However, an American doctor blames this pillar of our plates for the increase in certain cancers, not because it is a hidden toxic substance, but for the effect it has on our metabolism. At the center of his warning, we find a combination that seems to weigh heavily: a diet rich in refined sugars and starches, the formation of belly fat and insulin resistance.
Refined sugar, present everywhere
For several years, numerous research teams have pointed out the effects of excessive consumption of refined sugar on health. Present in a large quantity of processed foods, this sugar provides “empty calories” which, when not used as energy, are stored in the form of adipose tissue, particularly around the stomach and liver. “The two main causes of cancer are diet and toxins“, explains Dr. Mark Hyman, American doctor quoted by GB News.
The signal is particularly clear for added sugars and free sugars, particularly those from sugary drinks, dairy desserts, cookies, pastries and other products high in refined sugar. The authors believe that these sugars must now be considered as an avoidable risk factor for cancer. At the same time, Dr. Mark Hyman points out that other lifestyle factors take a toll, such as exposure to chemicals and a sedentary lifestyle.
Abdominal fat, a “real nest of cancers”
The problem with this refined sugar is that it feeds the fat accumulated in the abdomen. And it’s not just a question of aesthetics. It is metabolically very active and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Dr. Mark Hyman sums up this concern in a shocking phrase: “That abdominal fat? It’s a veritable nest of cancers. Pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and more are linked to this phenomenon of insulin resistance“. According to him, refined sugars and starches consumed in excess directly fuel this process.
This resistance disrupts the way the liver processes fats, maintains chronic inflammation and creates a favorable environment for the proliferation of abnormal cells. It is this link between sugary food, abdominal fat and metabolic disorders which is referred to as “a nest of cancers“.
The ideal is therefore to reduce the consumption of refined sugar and starch by limiting white pasta, very white breads, industrial biscuits, sweet dairy desserts, very sweet breakfast cereals or sugary drinks, in favor of wholemeal versions, whole fruits and minimally processed foods.