Examining the Health Effects of Fructose
Abstract
IN THE 1990S, EXCESSIVE FAT CONSUMPTION WAS COMmonly believed to be the main cause of obesity. High sugar consumption was often considered to be innocuous and possibly protective against obesity by displacing dietary fat. A decade later, the American Heart Association linked intake of added sugars to weight gain and recommended substantial decreases in consumption to a daily maximum of 100 kcal for women and 150 kcal for men. Some experts now argue that sugar comprises the single most important cause of the worldwide epidemics of obesity and diabetes, primarily through the effects of fructose at prevailing levels of consumption. This Viewpoint examines the physiological effects of common sugars and argues against a narrow public health focus on fructose.
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There are few expected or observed physiologic or health differences between high-fructose corn syrup vs. sucrose.
“Consequently, there are few expected or observed physiologic or health differences between high-fructose corn syrup vs. sucrose.165, 166, 334”
From Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review (2016) · cites this paper as [334]
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Johnson, R. K., Appel, L. J., Brands, M., Howard, B. V., Lefevre, M., Lustig, R. H., Sacks, F., Steffen, L. M., & Wylie-Rosett, J. (2009) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.109.192627 · Cited by 1,207 · see citing works
He, F. J., Nowson, C. A., Lucas, M., & MacGregor, G. A. (2007) · Journal of Human Hypertension · doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002212 · Cited by 741 · see citing works
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Mozaffarian, D. (2016) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/circulationaha.115.018585 · Cited by 2,216 · see citing works
“observed physiological or health differences between highfructose corn syrup versus sucrose.(165,166,334) In contrast, there are important metabolic differences between glucose and fruc-”
Sweetening of the global diet, particularly beverages: patterns, trends, and policy responses
Popkin, B. M., & Hawkes, C. (2016) · The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(15)00419-2 · Cited by 737 · see citing works
- Authors
- Ludwig, D. S.
- Affiliations
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ludwig, David S.
- ORCID
- Ludwig, David S.
- Venue
- JAMA
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 2013-07-03
- Volume
- 310
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 33
- ISSN
- 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
- 0098-7484
- OpenAlex
- W2120545897
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 4.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- JAMA (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K24DK082730)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- fructose, added sugars, sugar consumption, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dietary fat, weight gain, public health recommendations, sugar-sweetened beverages
- MeSH terms
- Beverages, Diet, Dietary Carbohydrates, Fructose, Fruit, Glucose, Humans, Liver, Nutritive Value, Obesity, Public Health, Sweetening Agents
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