Fructose consumption and consequences for glycation, plasma triacylglycerol, and body weight: meta-analyses and meta-regression models of intervention studies.
BACKGROUND
The glycemic response to dietary fructose is low, which may improve concentrations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c), a marker of dysglycemia). Meanwhile, adverse effects on plasma triacylglycerol (a marker of dyslipidemia) and body weight have been questioned. Such effects are reported inconsistently.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the effect of fructose on these health markers, particularly examining treatment dose and duration, and level of glycemic control.


METHODS
A literature search was conducted for relevant randomized and controlled intervention studies of crystalline or pure fructose (excluding high-fructose corn syrup), data extraction, meta-analyses, and modeling using meta-regression.


RESULTS
Fructose intake < 90 g/d significantly improved HbA(1c) concentrations dependent on the dose, the duration of study, and the continuous severity of dysglycemia throughout the range of dysglycemia. There was no significant change in body weight at intakes <100 g fructose/d. Fructose intakes of <50 g/d had no postprandially significant effect on triacylglycerol and those of <or=100g/d had no significant effect when subjects were fasting. At >or=100 g fructose/d, the effect on fasting triacylglycerol depended on whether sucrose or starch was being exchanged with fructose, and the effect was dose-dependent but was less with increasing duration of treatment. Different health types and sources of bias were examined; they showed no significant departure from a general trend.


CONCLUSIONS
The meta-analysis shows that fructose intakes from 0 to >or=90 g/d have a beneficial effect on HbA(1c). Significant effects on postprandial triacylglycerols are not evident unless >50 g fructose/d is consumed, and no significant effects are seen for fasting triacylglycerol or body weight with intakes of <or=100 g fructose/d in adults.
Livesey
Geoffrey
G
Independent Nutrition Logic, Wymondham, United Kingdom. glivesey@inlogic.co.uk
Taylor
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005632:Fructose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014280:Triglycerides