Recent research has found that moderate amounts of added fructose and sucrose can double body fat production, which may further contribute to diabetes or fatty liver development in the long term. In a study, 94 healthy men were assigned to consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) containing moderate amounts of fructose, sucrose or glucose (80 g/day) daily in addition to their usual diet or SSB abstinence (control group) for 7 weeks. De novo fatty acid (FA) and triglyceride synthesis, lipolysis and plasma free FA oxidation were assessed by tracer methodology. The results revealed that consuming both fructose- and sucrose-sweetened beverage moderately and regularly is associated with the increase in the production of FA in the liver. Hence, the way of further unfavourable effects on metabolic health may be paved.

Keywords: Added sugar, Fructose, Sucrose, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Fatty acid

Reference

Geidl-Flueck B, et al. J Hepatol. 2021;S0168-8278(21)00161-6.