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.
3.
Role of fructose-containing sugars in the epidemics of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Stanhope, KL
Annual review of medicine. 2012;:329-43
Abstract
There is controversy concerning the role of sugar in the epidemics of obesity and metabolic syndrome. There is less controversy concerning the effects of fructose on components of metabolic syndrome; consumption of fructose has been shown to increase visceral adipose deposition and de novo lipogenesis (DNL), produce dyslipidemia, and decrease insulin sensitivity in older, overweight/obese subjects. This review examines the potential mechanisms of these effects of fructose and considers whether these mechanisms are relevant to the effects of consuming sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup. Evidence demonstrating that the commonly consumed sugars increase visceral adipose deposition, DNL, and insulin insensitivity is limited or inconclusive. Evidence that sugar consumption promotes development of an unfavorable lipid profile is strong and suggests that the upper added sugar consumption limit of 25% of energy or less, suggested in the Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, may merit re-evaluation.
4.
Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.
Malik, VS, Popkin, BM, Bray, GA, Després, JP, Willett, WC, Hu, FB
Diabetes care. 2010;(11):2477-83
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which include soft drinks, fruit drinks, iced tea, and energy and vitamin water drinks has risen across the globe. Regular consumption of SSBs has been associated with weight gain and risk of overweight and obesity, but the role of SSBs in the development of related chronic metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, has not been quantitatively reviewed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We searched the MEDLINE database up to May 2010 for prospective cohort studies of SSB intake and risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. We identified 11 studies (three for metabolic syndrome and eight for type 2 diabetes) for inclusion in a random-effects meta-analysis comparing SSB intake in the highest to lowest quantiles in relation to risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. RESULTS Based on data from these studies, including 310,819 participants and 15,043 cases of type 2 diabetes, individuals in the highest quantile of SSB intake (most often 1-2 servings/day) had a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those in the lowest quantile (none or <1 serving/month) (relative risk [RR] 1.26 [95% CI 1.12-1.41]). Among studies evaluating metabolic syndrome, including 19,431 participants and 5,803 cases, the pooled RR was 1.20 [1.02-1.42]. CONCLUSIONS In addition to weight gain, higher consumption of SSBs is associated with development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. These data provide empirical evidence that intake of SSBs should be limited to reduce obesity-related risk of chronic metabolic diseases.