More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight and nearly one-third are clinically obese. Researchers reviewed whether the consumption of fructose contributes to obesity and insulin resistance syndrome, which is a combination of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including chronically elevated insulin levels, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure.
Fructose, compared with glucose, is preferentially metabolized to fat in your liver.
It was found that in animal models fructose consumption produces:
Insulin resistance
Impaired glucose tolerance
High insulin levels
High triglycerides
Hypertension
Americans' consumption of fructose, as a combination of sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, has increased by 26 percent from 1970 to 1997. The intake of dietary fructose has increased markedly as a result of the steady increase of added sugars to the American diet.
In the past, fructose was considered to be beneficial to diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance because ingesting it results in smaller postprandial glycemic and insulin excursions than do glucose and complex carbohydrates. However, other hormonal factors suggest that fructose actually promotes disease more than glucose. Also, fructose, but not glucose, is metabolized to fat in your liver.
Researchers conclude that added fructose (in the forms of sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup) does not appear to be the optimal choice as a source of carbohydrate in the diet.
Small amounts of added fructose are probably benign and may even have some favorable metabolic effects. However, on the basis of the available data regarding the endocrine and metabolic effects of consuming large quantities of fructose, and the potential to exacerbate components of insulin resistance syndrome, it is preferable to primarily consume dietary carbohydrates in the form of glucose (free glucose and starch).
This is particularly important for those with existing high cholesterol levels or insulin resistance who could be more susceptible to the negative metabolic effects of fructose.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 2002 Vol. 76, No. 5, 911-922 (Free Full Text Reference)
New research confirming what I said nearly two years ago:
The delusion that fructose is an acceptable form of sugar is quite prevalent in many nutritional circles. These studies are important contributions to the scientific literature that confirms that it is not. Nearly all simple sugars are metabolized quickly and disrupt insulin levels, which contributes to most chronic illness. So don't be fooled-avoid fructose just like you would table sugar as they both cause similar problems.
This doesn't mean that one should avoid fruit, however. Eating small amounts of whole fruit will NOT provide tremendous amounts of fructose and should not be a problem for most people, unless diabetes or obesity is an issue. However, fruit juices, sodas, and other beverages sweetened with fructose should be avoided.
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