Maintaining liver health may be among the best reasons to avoid excess fructose. Glucose can be metabolized by every cell, while fructose is processed only by the small intestine and the liver. So when large quantities of fructose hit the system, especially in the form of soda or energy drinks, the liver bears much of the burden.
In the short term, fructose depletes cellular energy and triggers the production of uric acid, a waste product that, in excess, can damage the kidneys and the heart. (For more on uric acid, visit “Uric Acid: A New Metric for Heart Health.”)
Over the long term, a diet high in fructose can contribute to liver complications. That’s because the liver turns excess fructose into fat, explains Lustig. Visceral liver fat may be exported to other parts of the body, where it can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and other metabolic conditions; it can also stay in the liver and contribute to a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD can lead to an inflammatory condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which can culminate in cirrhosis and even liver failure.
Experts predict that more than half of all adults worldwide will have NAFLD by 2040 — and many believe this is at least partly due to the current high consumption of fructose. (For more on NAFLD, see “The Hidden Liver Crisis.”)
Want to Know More About the Sweet Stuff?
Learn what you need to know about the sugar’s effects on your health at “12 Common Questions About Sugar and Your Health — Answered,” from which this article was excerpted.
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