Zuckertoxizität: Konsequenzen für Adipositas, Diabetes, Karies und die Intensivmedizin

Zusammenfassung

Ohne Zucker ist kein menschliches Leben möglich. Allein das menschliche Gehirn benötigt ca. 140 g Glukose pro Tag. Daher müssen Zucker und Nahrungsstoffe, die zu Zucker metabolisiert werden können, über die Nahrung aufgenommen werden. Zucker ist somit weder schlecht noch toxisch – es sei denn, er wird in sehr hohen Mengen konsumiert. Laut Deutscher Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE) und Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) sollten maximal 50 g Zucker pro Tag mit der Nahrung aufgenommen werden. Der restliche Zuckerbedarf wird endogen synthetisiert. Dieser Grenzwert wurde über Jahrtausende eingehalten, zumal für die Mehrheit der Menschen Zucker nur sehr begrenzt verfügbar war.

In den letzten Jahren hat der Zuckerkonsum aber drastisch zugenommen. Laut Wissenschaftlichem Dienst des Deutschen Bundestages wurden 2016 in Deutschland pro Tag durchschnittlich ungefähr 100 g verzehrt. Bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen sogar 150 – 200 g/d, bei älteren Erwachsenen 50 – 150 g/d. Diese hohe Zuckeraufnahme erfolgt offensichtlich v. a. über Limonaden, Säfte und Süßwaren, aber auch durch „versteckte Zucker“, wie sie z. B. in Fertignahrungsmitteln und Ketchup oder Senf enthalten sind. Oft findet sich auch reichlich Zucker in vermeintlich gesunden Lebensmitteln, wie z. B. Cerealien, Fruchtjoghurt oder Bonbons mit Vitaminzusatz. In diesen Dosen kann Zucker tatsächlich toxische Eigenschaften bekommen und gesundheitsschädigend sein.

Abstract

Without sugar, no human life is possible. The human brain needs about 140 g/d of glucose; therefore, sugar needs to be taken up orally to some extent. Sugar is neither malignant nor toxic – if not consumed in high doses. According to the German Society for Nutrition and the World Health Organization, 50 g/d sugar maximum should be consumed, the rest is synthesized endogenously. This limit has been adhered to for thousands of years.

However, sugar intake rose dramatically over the last few years. In 2016, the sugar intake in Germany was as high as 100 g/d. In some specific groups, sugar intake is substantially higher (up to 200 g/d). The rising sugar intake is mainly reached through lemonades, juices and sweets, but also by “hidden sugars”, e. g. in convenience food, ketchup or mustard. Even foods that are supposedly healthy, like cereals, fruit-yoghurt or sweets with added vitamins, contain sugar. At such high doses, sugar indeed develops toxic qualities which can be harmful to health.

Schlüsselwörter

Zucker - Adipositas - Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 - Karies - Intensivmedizin

Keywords

sugar - obesity - diabetes mellitus type 2 - caries - intensive care

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