Fructose may be more harmful to your liver than what you thought
We’ve all heard of the dangers of high-fructose corn syrup. Many food companies have chosen to replace high-fructose corn syrup with different sugar alternatives to make sure that our cereals, yogurt and bread are still tasty without the stigma and dangers of high-fructose corn syrup.
Fructose, however, is found in many food sources. It is found in foods that may not seem threatening at all. The simplest definition of fructose is ‘fruit sugar’; fructose is the kind of sugar found in fruits and vegetables. But unlike any other sugar, fructose is metabolized only by the liver. Thus, researchers are calling for a careful look into the role of this particular sweetness in the continuous prevalence of obesity, diabetes and liver diseases.
Fructose is one of the most abundant sugars found in our traditional American diet. It is very sweet and considerably cheaper than many other sugar alternatives in the market. Food companies favor its use because it gives a dash of sweetness at lower calories and at a lower production cost. Non- diet soft drinks, for example, are made with sweeteners that are mostly made of fructose.
However, since fructose is only broken down by the liver there are some considerations to explore. A high intake of fructose is setting off alarms on how today’s processed food and beverages may contribute to liver diseases and related illnesses, particularly diabetes and obesity.
Researchers are taking a closer look at how fructose leads to the excessive production of internal fat and fatty liver disease. To date, they have linked fructose to diabetes and obesity. They found out that large intakes of fructose elevate the uric acid levels, resulting in insulin resistance. This could be fatal to people living with diabetes. Fructose also reduces the body’s response to leptin, which is an important hormone that tells the body to stop eating.
The breaking down of fructose in the liver also causes the buildup of fat around internal organs, the production of bad cholesterol and increased blood pressure. We are here to remind you—and want to be clear: don’t be fooled by this simple, naturally occurring sugar. It is important to keep ALL sugars to a minimum in your daily diet. For more information refer to http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Other/herr48.pdf) and make sure that you and your family are getting just enough fructose that your liver can handle.
