Moreover, there was an increased evidence of risk factors including heart diseases and diabetes for people consuming such beverages, the study authors said.
Having fructose-sweetened drinks leads to higher blood levels of bad cholesterol (L.D.L.) and triglycerides, which have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and early onset of diabetes, in obese or overweight people. On the other hand, glucose-sweetened drinks do not affect L.D.L. or triglycerides, the study revealed.
The findings of the study are based on the results of 32 overweight women and men, all of whose average age was 50 years. These participants were asked to include either fructose-sweetened beverages or glucose-sweetened beverages totaling 25 percent of their calorie intake in the daily diet.
During the 10-week study, although the participants belonging to both the two groups gained weight, there was a significant gain in belly fat (visceral fat) by the fructose group while the group consuming glucose gained more subcutaneous (under the skin) fat. Belly fat is associated with an increased risk for stroke as well as cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, the fructose group also revealed higher blood insulin as well as fasting blood glucose levels, and a decreased sensitivity to insulin.
The study reveals clear disparities in the metabolism of the glucose, fructose and sugar in our body, principal investigator and nutrition researcher, Dr. Peter J. Havel, PhD, of the University of California at Davis said.
However, the findings do not, in any way, prove that high-fructose corn syrup is a bigger culprit than other sugars (added to processed food). In U.S., high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is used as an ingredient in soft drinks and other sweetened beverages, including cereals, comprises nearly 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose (compared to the 50:50 ratio of fructose-glucose in table sugar).
The reason being that HFCS contains the same chemicals as the other most commonly used sweeteners, including honey, sucrose (table sugar) and the sweeteners produced from concentrated fruit juices, use.
Matthias H. Tschop, MD, obesity researcher at University of Cincinnati, stated, “Any added sugar used as an alternative to high-fructose corn syrup would have a similar chemical composition.
“While it is possible that there are differences in how these sugars affect metabolic pathways, I know of no studies that show this.”
Tschop warned Americans saying that they are eating too much sugar, irrespective of the fact whether the sweetener used is high-fructose or anything else.
“The largest sources for daily overconsumption of sugar are soft drinks and other sweetened beverages,” Tschop said. “Some people drink a 2-liter (67-ounce) bottle of soda a day or even more,” said Tschop “If you do that for many years there is no doubt that it will impact your health, no matter what type of sugar is used.”
The study is published in the April 20 online issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
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