Diets high in fructose could cause immune system damage, study suggests

[Klaralven]

New research by Swansea scientists in collaboration with scientists at the University of Bristol and the Francis Crick institute in London has indicated that consuming a diet high in the sugar fructose might prevent the proper functioning of peoples' immune systems in ways that has, until now, largely been unknown.

Fructose is commonly found in sugary drinks, sweets and processed foods and is used widely in food production. It is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its intake has increased substantially throughout the developed world in recent years. However, understanding the impact of fructose on the immune system of people who consume it in high levels, has been limited until now.

The new study published in the journal Nature Communications shows that fructose causes the immune system to become inflamed and that process produces more reactive molecules which are associated with inflammation. Inflammation of this kind can go on to damage cells and tissues and contribute to organs and body systems not working as they should and could lead to disease.

The research also brings a deeper understanding about how fructose could be linked to diabetes and obesity -- as low- level inflammation is often associated with obesity. It also builds on the growing body of evidence available to public health policy makers about the damaging effects of consuming high levels of fructose.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210222124647.htm

Fructose reprogrammes glutamine-dependent oxidative metabolism to support LPS-induced inflammation

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21461-4 full text available.

[TBA]

1. The best thing I ever did for my health was to

stop eating sugar, processed food and most carbohydrates. The research is out there and the results are dramatic and sustainable. Drastic improvement is A1C, BP, lipid panel all of it. Oh and 70 lbs gone.

[The Blue Flower]

2. I've often thought my type 2 diabetes is a blessing in disguise

I stopped eating sugar long ago, have lost weight, and my numbers are good.

[Hugin]

3. Ah, my old foe HFCS rears it's head again...

A few years ago there was some speculation it interferes with the absorption of Omega3. I never saw any follow-up studies. However, the last two paragraphs of the snip lead me to believe this may be true.

All I know is that HFCS makes lousy hard candy.

This latest scientific evidence will be waved away like all of the previous charges with a chant that Sucrose contains Glucose and Fructose. What is not said is that regular whole sugar contains a concentration of far less Fructose than is present when pure Fructose is added as an additional ingredient.

[Klaralven]

6. HFCS is usually 55% fructose; Sucrose is 50% fructose.

Sucrose is a disaccharide that is a molecule of glucose and a molecule of fructose bound together. The bond is split in the intestines, and it enters your blood stream as glucose and fructose separately.

Only glucose, e.g. unprocessed corn syrup, is directly metabolized by the body. Other sugars are processed in the liver.

Therefore, don't eat simple sugars and eat carbohydrates such as starch instead. Starch is a polymer of glucose molecules that your digestion breaks up into individual glucose molecules.

[Hugin]

8. I did not know that about 'starch'.

I may have to start reading labels a little more closely with that in mind. Seeking starches/carbohydrates without the addition of HFCS. Which at this point is almost universal.

Is it safe to say, HFCS has little to no real nutritive value? But, by golly, you'd think it was a core vitamin with it appearing first on every ingredient list.

[Klaralven]

9. Rice, white potatoes and unsweetened breads are mostly starch.

Cake, cookies, and various snack foods are high in sugar and will kill you.

[brewens]

4. I got in a little trouble for calling bullshit on fructose around 1987. I was just a delivery driver

for a beverage distributor. Our new product was New York Seltzer. The company rep was there giving us the promo spiel. No preservatives or colorings and all natural sugars. On the label it said fructose and it had about the same calories as regular soda.

So I asked the rep just what this fructose was? He didn't know to say anything but that it was a natural sugar. I asked what difference that makes? It has to be refined from something. I got shut down by our assistant manager. He always thought I had a bad attitude. He was right about that.

I had no clue of the real issues with fructose, but I knew right away it was marketing bullshit.

[Klaralven]

7. Fructose is a natural sugar. It's about 2/3 of the sugar in apples and pears.

HFCS is made from corn starch by depolymerizing the starch into its constituent glucose molecules and then using an enzyme to convert part of the glucose to fructose. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup#Process

[Taylor Picker]

5. It's in lots of stuff, of course, but soda is a bit offender.

I drank a LOT of Coke until recently. I was drinking Coke Life, which was at least sweetened with real sugar and stevia... and I liked the taste... but they discontinued it during the pandemic and it's not coming back. I switched back to real coke, which has HFCS as its main ingredient. I gained weight, but I also hadn't been eating healthy... and am getting less exercise being at home all the time.
I've gone back on a plant-based diet and cut way down on soda. I just have one a day, and I'll eliminate that one soon. Lost 12 pounds or so over the last few weeks.

[AwakeAtLast]

10. I haven't had any soft drinks since January 7th

I would drink mostly diet, but add flavor and a little regular to my fountain drinks.

Not anymore!

I've lost 15 pounds - along with the South Beach diet (full disclosure).