1.
Are Liquid Sugars Different from Solid Sugar in Their Ability to Cause Metabolic Syndrome?
Sundborn, G, Thornley, S, Merriman, TR, Lang, B, King, C, Lanaspa, MA, Johnson, RJ
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). 2019;(6):879-887
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intake of sugary drinks, especially soft drinks, carries increased risk for obesity and diabetes. This article reviews whether sugary drinks carry different risks for metabolic syndrome compared with foods that contain natural or added sugars. METHODS A narrative review was performed to evaluate differences between liquid and solid sugars in their ability to induce metabolic syndrome and to discuss potential mechanisms to account for the differences. RESULTS Epidemiological studies support liquid added sugars, such as soft drinks, as carrying greater risk for development of metabolic syndrome compared with solid sugar. Some studies suggest that fruit juice may also confer relatively higher risk for weight gain and insulin resistance compared with natural fruits. Experimental evidence suggests this may be due to differences in how fructose is metabolized. Fructose induces metabolic disease by reducing the energy levels in liver cells, mediated by the concentration of fructose to which the cells are exposed. The concentration relates to the quantity and speed at which fructose is ingested, absorbed, and metabolized. CONCLUSIONS Although reduced intake of added sugars (sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup) remains a general recommendation, there is evidence that sugary soft drinks may provide greater health risks relative to sugar-containing foods.
2.
Soft drink intake and the risk of metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Narain, A, Kwok, CS, Mamas, MA
International journal of clinical practice. 2017;(2)
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether consumption of sugar- or artificially sweetened beverages is independently associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate whether soft drink consumption is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. METHODS Medline and EMBASE were searched in November 2015 for studies which considered soft drink (sugar-sweetened beverage [SSB] and artificially sweetened beverage [ASB]) intake and risk of metabolic syndrome. Pooled risk ratios for adverse outcomes were calculated using inverse variance with a random effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. RESULTS A total of 12 studies (eight cross-sectional, four prospective cohort studies) with 56 244 participants (age range 6-98 years) were included in the review. Our pooled analysis found that soft drink intake is associated with metabolic syndrome. This relationship is shown in cross-sectional studies of SSB consumption (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.18-1.91) and both cross-sectional and prospective studies of ASB consumption (RR 2.45; 95% CI 1.15-5.14; RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21-1.44, respectively). However, pooled results of prospective cohort studies of SSB consumption found no association between intake and risk of developing metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Sugar-sweetened beverage and ASB intake are both associated with metabolic syndrome. This association may be driven by the fact that soft drink intake serves as a surrogate for an unhealthy lifestyle, or an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile.