Too much sugar is unhealthy – as we know, but this is not just because of the high calorie intake. Even moderate levels of excess fructose and sucrose double the body’s own fat production in the liver, researchers from the University of Zurich have shown. In the long run, this contributes to the development of diabetes or fatty liver.
Sugar is added to many common foods, and people in Switzerland eat more than 100 grams of it every day. High calorie content of sugar causes overweight and obesity, and the associated diseases. But does too much sugar have any other side effects if eaten regularly? And if so, what sweets in particular?
Even sugar amounts increase fat synthesis
Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) and the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) have been studying these questions. Compared to previous studies, which largely examined the consumption of large amounts of sugar, their results show that even moderate amounts lead to a change in the metabolism of test participants. “Eighty grams of sugar per day, which equates to about 0.8 liters of normal soft drink, stimulates the production of fat in the liver. And the production of inactive fat continues for a longer period of time. longer, even if it does not consume more sugar, ”says study director Philipp Gerber of the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition.
Ninety-four healthy young men participated in the study. Every day for seven weeks, they drank a drink sweetened with different types of sugar, as long as the group did not exercise control. The drinks contained fructose, glucose or sucrose (table sugar which is a mixture of fructose and glucose). The researchers then used detectors (products with labels that can be detected as they move through the body) to study the effects of sugary drinks on lipid metabolism.
Double fat production of frructose and sucrose exceeds the amount of food
Overall, participants did not consume more calories than before the study, as the sugary drink increased digestion and thus reduced their calorie intake from other sources. Nevertheless, the researchers found that fructose has a negative effect: “The body ‘s own fat production in the liver was twice as high in the fructose group than it was in the glucose or control group – and this is still more than a dozen hours after the last meal or sugar consumption, “says Gerber. It was a particular surprise that the sugar we usually eat, sucrose, boosted fat synthesis a little more than the same amount of fructose. Until now, fructose was thought to be the most likely for such changes.
More likely fatty liver development or diabetes
Increased fat production in the liver is an important first step in the development of common diseases such as fatty liver and type-2 diabetes. From a health perspective, the World Health Organization recommends limiting daily sugar consumption to around 50 grams or, even better, 25 grams.
But we are far from that mark in Switzerland. Our results are an essential step in examining the harmful effects of added sugar and will be very important for future dietary recommendations. “
Philipp Gerber, Director of Research
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Magazine Reference:
Geidl-Flueck, B.,. et al. (2021) Fructose- and sucrose- but not glucose-containing beverages stimulate hepatic de novo lipogenesis: A randomized controlled trial. Iris Hepatology. doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2021.02.027.