Eating Too Much Fructose, or at the Wrong Times,
can Increase Risk of High Blood Pressure, Obesity, and More
photo by Karsten Planz
Two new studies were released on September 23rd highlighting some of the dangers of taking in too much fructose in the diet. One measured the rise of blood pressure in men, and the other looked at the effects on mice concerning the timing of sugar intake.
What is Fructose?
Fructose is a simple sugar that is found in honey, most fruits, and some root vegetables as well. Table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are roughly equal parts fructose and glucose. It is widely used, mostly because of its very high relative sweetness, two-thirds again as sweet as sucrose (table sugar).
The Effects of Fructose on Blood Pressure
The first study looked at 74 men who were given 200 grams of fructose on top of their normal diet — an amount some 3 to 4 times the normal American adult intake of fructose. Half of them were also given a drug normally used to treat gout by reducing the body's uric acid levels.
After only two weeks, those given only the extra fructose saw a significant rise in blood pressure, an average of 6 mL of systolic pressure (top number), and 3 in diastolic (bottom number). Luckily, after two months of no longer being given the fructose, their readings had returned to normal. Those given the drug allopurinol saw almost no increase at all in systolic pressure.
Additionally, those given the drug saw little to no increase in the risk of metabolic syndrome, which in addition to blood pressure, can mean having too much abdominal fat, and high cholesterol. Those taking just the fructose saw twice the likelihood of developing those symptoms.
Timing of Fructose Consumption on Mice
Three sets of mice were studied; one given unrestricted access to fructose-water, one given the fructose water only in the daytime, and one given only at night.
Those given restricted access rushed to drink the sweetened water when it was given, "similar to teenagers who drink too many soft drinks," said one researcher, Mariana Morris of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
Those mice who were given the fructose water only during the daytime, their normal sleeping hours, gained more weight and showed higher levels of stress hormones — results that likely equate to humans who binge on sweets at night.
It is results like these that have led many officials to consider a proposed plan for sodas and other sugary beverages to be taxed.
These sorts of tests have many people turning to artificial sweeteners like Splenda, or sucralose. These sweeteners have dangers of their own, however. Be sure to read Hidden - or Not So Hidden - Dangers of Splenda and Dangers of artificial additives in food, skin care products, and more for more information.
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