Fructose's adverse effects limited to excess calorie intake

A new study has revealed that fructose, the sugar often blamed for the obesity epidemic, does not have any impact on an emerging indicator for the risk of cardiovascular disease known as postprandial triglycerides.

However, Dr. John Sievenpiper, a researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre of St. Michael's Hospital, said that overconsumption of calories from fructose can have substantial adverse effects on health.

"This is more evidence that fructose has adverse effects only insofar as it contributes to excess calories," Dr. Sievenpiper said.

Fructose, which is naturally found in fruit, vegetables and honey, is a simple sugar that together with glucose forms sucrose, the basis of table sugar.

Dr. Sievenpiper conducted a meta-analysis of existing studies on fructose and its impact on the level of triglycerides, a fat found in blood, after eating.

Testing for these triglycerides- in addition to the standard testing for blood glucose levels- is becoming more common for people trying to determine their risk for cardiovascular disease, although health care professionals remain divided on its usefulness.

The study is published in the journal Atheroclerosis.