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Fructose consumption tied to high cholesterol

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Individuals who consume too much high-fructose corn syrup may be more likely to receive unhealthy cholesterol test results, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The results showed that individuals who got 25 percent of their daily calories from fructose for two weeks had significantly higher LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, compared to those who consumed fewer calories from fructose. There was no association between cholesterol problems and glucose consumption.

The University of California, Davis researchers who conducted the study said that the results could have important implications for dietary recommendations. The U.S. government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 indicate that it may be safe to consume up to 25 percent of calories as sugar. However, the American Heart Association says that 5 percent is the safe upper limit.

"These results suggest that consumption of sugar may promote heart disease," said Kimber Stanhope, who led the study. "Additionally our findings provide evidence that the upper limit of 25 percent of daily calories consumed as added sugar as suggested by The Dietary Guidelines for American 2010 may need to be re-evaluated."