Research: Fructose-Sweetened Drinks May Increase Cardiovascular Diseases

A recent study at the Monell Chemical Senses Center (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) found that obese people who drink fructose sweetened beverage during meals have increased triglycerides—a condition that increases risk of cardiovascular diseases. As a part of the research, 17 obese men and women were given identical meals, the only difference being the sweetener used in the beverages that accompanied the meals. This was followed by an analysis of their blood samples, which revealed that the amount of triglycerides over a 24-hour period was almost 200 percent higher, for those who drank fructose-sweetened beverages.

Of the findings, Monell member, metabolic physiologist and study lead author Karen Teff said, “Fructose can cause even greater elevations of triglyceride levels in obese insulin-resistant individuals, worsening their metabolic profiles and further increasing their risk for diabetes and heart disease.”

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