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Fructose, high fructose corn syrup increased risk factors for CVD

Stanhope K. J Clin Endo Metab. 2011;in press.

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Adults who consumed high fructose corn syrup for 2 weeks as 25% of their daily calorie intake had increased blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, according to data from a new study.

According to the American Heart Association, 5% of calories consumed should come from added sugar. In addition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 suggest an upper limit of 25% or less of daily calories consumed as added sugar. Due to this discrepancy in recommended levels, researchers aimed to determine the effects of fructose, high fructose corn syrup or glucose at the 25% upper limit among young overweight and normal-weight adults.

“While there is still evidence that people who consume sugar are more likely to have heart disease or diabetes, it is controversial as to whether high sugar diets may actually promote these diseases, and dietary guidelines are conflicting,” Kimber Stanhope, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, said in a press release. “Our findings demonstrate that several factors associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease were increased in individuals consuming 25% of their calories as fructose or high fructose corn syrup, but consumption of glucose did not have this effect.”

The study included 48 adults aged 18 to 40 years. Researchers compared the effects of consuming 25% of one’s daily calorie requirement as glucose, fructose or high fructose corn syrup on risk factors for CVD. Within 2 weeks, study participants consuming fructose or high fructose corn syrup had increased concentrations of LDL, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B. However, participants who consumed glucose did not.

“These results suggest that consumption of sugar may promote heart disease,” Stanhope said. “Additionally, our findings provide evidence that the upper limit of 25% of daily calories consumed as added sugar as suggested by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 may need to be re-evaluated.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

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