Drinkable compotes hide an unsuspected danger for children, sugar is not the only enemy

As much maligned as they are adored, compotes are proving to be truly problematic for the health of the youngest, especially since they are sold in tubes.

For breakfast, dessert or as a snack, drinkable compotes are certainly one of the favorite foods of children and sometimes adults. And yet, they do not have a good press. Like many processed products, they are criticized for their composition, when sugar is added. It must be said that compared to homemade compotes, which are supposed to contain only freshly crushed fruit, those sold in supermarkets, even when they are labeled “reduced in sugar”, are enough to annoy more than one nutritionist.

Between the amounts of sugar, the preservatives and the manufacturing methods, drinking compote is not really the best way to eat fruit – but is it really a secret? ? Some compotes actually have up to 16 grams of sugar per 100 grams, which is 1.5 times more than in Coke. And regarding manufacturing, remember that vitamins, especially vitamin C, are sensitive to heat and therefore disappear largely during cooking. Added to this is the fact of mixing the product so that it is liquid, which also destroys the fibers contained in the fruits.

Faced with these products, which in reality are very far from being truly beneficial for health and promote cavities, dentists are up in arms. In England, the British Dental Association (BDA) has published an alarming statement calling for “action to be taken regarding the obscene levels of sugar” contained in compotes, particularly those with destination of the youngest.

Sugar does not seem to be the only problem and even has an ally. An unsuspected danger for children's teeth also comes from the format itself of drinkable compotes. For the experts at the origin of the press release, this type of compote, which can be tasted and kept in the mouth for a long time, actually promotes prolonged contact between food and teeth. Which would increase tenfold the “risk of erosion and cavities”.

And if the idea of ​​having an appointment with the dentist does not please anyone, for a child the poor health of the baby teeth turns out to be catastrophic. These, in addition to allowing him to eat, “define his tiny face", “allow the establishment of speech without articulation disorders&quot and, after a certain age, “guide the permanent teeth so that they grow in the right position” can be read on the Ameli.fr website.

To limit the impact of sugar on children's teeth, it would be wiser for them not to consume these compotes directly in their packaging. In any case, this is what the British Dental Association recommends, which also denounces the communication of certain brands about their products.