September 30, 2008 – Fructose – a sugar found naturally in fruit and honey – has made a spectacular foray into our diet since the 1980s. However, according to an American study, the human body tends to quickly turn fructose into fat1. Faster, at least, than another sugar: glucose.
The researchers recruited six volunteers, thin and healthy. For breakfast, they had them drink one of three sugary drinks: either a drink made entirely of glucose; either one containing glucose and fructose in equal parts; or a compound containing 25% glucose and 75% fructose. At noon, participants had to eat a snack prepared for them.
Thanks to regular blood tests, the researchers were able to follow the metabolic process of food. According to the results, four hours after breakfast, participants who ingested fructose had a rate of fat formation 40% higher than that observed in participants who consumed only glucose.
These findings seem to support some observers who blame the obesity epidemic on the massive use of corn syrup (which has high fructose content) in processed foods. The authors of the study, however, provide a caveat: the obesity epidemic cannot be attributed to a single food.
In addition, the sweetening power of fructose is particularly high. If we wanted to sweeten carbonated drinks with sucrose, for example (table sugar), we would have to introduce a lot more into the mixture. Consumers would not therefore necessarily be winners, say the researchers.
Dominique Forget – PasseportSanté.net
Parks EJ, Skokan LE et al. Dietary sugars stimulate fatty acid synthesis in adults. J Nutr. 2008 Jun; 138 (6): 1039-46.