{"results":[{"text":"Drinks: orange juice, diet soda or zero…\nIn supermarket aisles, so-called "zero" or "sugar-free" drinks are often presented as a more "sensible" alternative for people concerned about their weight, metabolic health, or hyperglycemia (i.e., excessively high blood sugar). It is important to remember that sugary drinks, because they are liquids, generally cause a very rapid rise in blood sugar: sugar is absorbed faster than when it is incorporated into food with fiber, protein, or fat. This sudden spike in blood sugar can also promote weight gain in the long term, particularly through excess energy intake and insulin fluctuations. Conversely, for people with diabetes, it is often recommended to keep a small carton of fruit juice or a sugary drink on hand to correct hypoglycemia (an excessive drop in blood sugar), as the goal is rapid action. For To give a concrete example, a can of regular soda can contain the equivalent of about 7 sugar cubes. In this context, a question frequently arises: is "zero" soda really healthier, and does it help prevent weight gain? Diet or zero soda: sugar-free, therefore necessarily healthier? In reality, these drinks don't contain sugar, but they do contain sweeteners (sweet-tasting substances, often highly concentrated), which don't directly raise blood sugar levels in the same way as sugar. However, caution is advised: the sweetening power of sweeteners is generally much higher than that of table sugar, which maintains a preference for sweet tastes and can reinforce the habit of consuming very sweet flavors on a daily basis. In other words, even with few or no calories, these drinks can maintain the craving for sweets and make it harder to return to more natural tastes (water, herbal teas, whole fruits). Furthermore, while some historical concerns, such as the hypothesis of a risk of While the link between sugar and bladder cancer has been ruled out due to insufficient scientific evidence, other avenues of research remain under discussion: potential impact on the gut microbiota, appetite regulation, and the risk of insulin resistance in some individuals. These factors do not mean that "zero" sodas are dangerous in the short term, but rather that they should not be considered a "health" drink. For example, the report states: "There is no benefit from the consumption of intense sweeteners on weight control, blood glucose levels in diabetic subjects, or the incidence of type 2 diabetes" (ANSES, 2018). In other words, systematically replacing sugar with sweeteners does not, on average, produce the expected effects on weight or blood glucose control. This conclusion suggests moving beyond the idea of a simple "sugar vs. sweetener" substitution and considering all dietary habits: frequency of consumption, dietary context, compensation with other foods, and the role of water as a primary beverage. Reference. Other types of drinks…? Through numerous dietary surveys conducted among the French population, I have observed that many people start their day with a glass of orange juice at breakfast, sometimes due to family tradition, in search of vitamins, or because it seems “more natural” than soda. This practice is deeply ingrained culturally: juice is often associated with a “healthy,” quick, and convenient routine, especially when time is short in the morning. But is fruit juice really a better choice nutritionally, particularly when consumed daily? Fruit juice made from concentrate has few or none of the qualities associated with whole fruit. In practice, the fruit intended for concentrate is often heated to a high temperature (around 90°C) and then dehydrated to obtain a concentrated base or powder. During repackaging, the product is reconstituted by adding water, and there may also be, depending on the specific product, adjustments to taste and stability (for example, flavorings, sugar, colorings, or preservatives). The end resu