Fructose Sweeteners May Cause Weight Gain

By Deborah Lambeth

It seems as if sugars and sweeteners are getting a lot of press these days. Many articles abound about the pros and cons of sugars. One sweetener in particular, fructose, is getting a lot of attention not only because of its ability to make a person gain weight, but also for its ability to change the metabolism somehow so that a person actually retains fat.

One such study, done at the University of Cincinnati, studied mice and their consumption of water versus fructose-sweetened water and soft drinks. The mice that drank water did not have any significant weight gain or body fat increase. However, the mice that were given fructose-sweetened water and soft drinks gained weight even though they did not consume as much food. Researchers found that these mice developed 90% more body fat than their counterparts who only drank water. From their study, researchers came to the conclusion that fructose may affect metabolism somehow, and that would lead to more fat storage. According to Dr. Matthias Tschop, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and a member of the Obesity Research Center at the University of Cincinnati, their study "shows how fat mass increases as a direct consequence of soft drink consumption. We were surprised to see that mice actually ate less when exposed to fructose-sweetened beverages, and therefore didn't consume more overall calories. Nevertheless, they gained significantly more body fat within a few weeks."

It’s hard to eliminate fructose from the diet. It’s everywhere—even in baby foods. Fruits and some vegetables contain fructose, as do sports drinks, candy, yogurts, and all kinds of processed and canned foods. Fructose accounts for 10% of total calories in the diet and most of it comes from high-fructose corn syrup, which was developed in the 1960’s. According to the International Food Information Council, since that time, the fructose in our food supply has increased by 30%. The high caloric intake added to the lack of exercise, could easily be the reason for the increased obesity rate in the United States.

Martha Fillipec from the Ohio State University Extension office says, "The way fructose is metabolized is also under the microscope. When we consume glucose, the body releases the hormone insulin to allow cells to use glucose as energy. Insulin, in turn, triggers the release of leptin, another hormone. Both leptin and insulin can help regulate the appetite. Fructose doesn't cause the same hormonal responses, so some researchers wonder if higher fructose consumption could undermine the body's appetite regulators, making it easier for us to overeat."

So what’s the "skinny" on sugar and fructose? Researchers are still working to discern the role fructose may play in weight gain. The bottom line is that it’s important to eat a well-rounded diet and consume more grains, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables—even those with fructose. Limiting the intake of any kind of sugar goes a long way in preventing obesity and making it easier to lose weight.