Why are markets selling secondhand goods called 'flea markets'? The term derives from the direct translation of the French name for a famous open-air market for secondhand goods in Saint-Ouen, a northern suburb of Paris. Le march aux puces de Saint-Ouen - literally the flea market of Saint-Ouen, dates back to 1885 and extends over six hectares. It is still going strong today and opens only on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
It attracts thousands of tourists, visitors and professional antique dealers alike.
Thousands of shops and stalls sell everything from antiques, secondhand furniture, clothes to bric- a-brac.
It was thought that such a large collection of old and used goods would surely attract fleas. The name has stuck and has since been applied to any market selling secondhand items.
Is eating sugar good for you? White sugar is almost pure sucrose. It contains no vitamins, minerals or enzymes that are present in natural, unrefined and non-processed foods that would normally help the body with digestion and absorption.
Although often said to be an 'energy food' because it provides calories, sugar gives energy in such a pure and concentrated form that it causes blood sugar levels to soar to unhealthy highs after being eaten. The high blood sugar levels trigger chemical reactions in the body that store the excess as fat. The high fat levels in the blood can clog up arteries, causing heart disease and weight gain.
The rising consumption of sugar in recent decades has been blamed for increasing incidents of heart disease, diabetes and obesity in developed countries.