Consuming a small amount of fructose, the natural sugar found in corn syrup and added to processed foods, may not be a problem if it is done as part of an otherwise healthy diet. Add dietary supplements to the mix, and you may be doing all right. Or are you? New research suggests that the “acceptable” amount of fructose consumption is smaller than once thought.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism says it all. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that up to 25 percent of one’s daily calories may be sugars, the American Heart Association puts that figure at 5 percent.
Whence the disparity? Researchers from the University of California, Davis and scientists from Japan teamed up to find out. They asked 48 adults to consume one-quarter of their daily calories as either glucose, fructose or high-fructose corn syrup.
In a matter of weeks, those consuming fructose-based substances experienced increases in their triglycerides and cholesterol. The group concluded that a fructose-rich diet may increase the risk of heart disease.
Instead of consuming sugary snacks or beverages, it is healthier to eat a balanced well-rounded diet rich in whole-food nutrients. To ensure an optimal daily intake of nutrients, its wise to add in dietary supplements containing vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.