Diets high in fructose could cause immune system damage, study suggests

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Diets high in fructose could cause immune system damage, study suggests

New research deepens understanding of how fructose affects health








New research by Swansea scientists in collaboration with scientists at the University of Bristol and the Francis Crick Institute in London has indicated that consuming a diet high in sugar fructose might prevent peoples' immune systems' proper functioning ways that have, until now, largely been unknown.

Fructose is commonly found in sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods and widely used in food production. It is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and its intake has increased substantially throughout the developed world in recent years. However, understanding the impact of fructose on the immune system of people who consume it at high levels has been limited until now.

The new study published in the journal Nature Communications shows that fructose causes the immune system to become inflamed. That process produces more reactive molecules, which are associated with inflammation. Inflammation of this kind can damage cells and tissues and contribute to organs and body systems not working as they should and could lead to disease.

The research also brings a deeper understanding of how fructose could be linked to diabetes and obesity -- as low-level inflammation is often associated with obesity. It also builds on the growing body of evidence available to public health policymakers about the damaging effects of consuming high levels of fructose.

Dr. Nick Jones of Swansea University's Medical School said: "Research into different components of our diet can help us understand what might contribute to inflammation and disease and what could be best harnessed to improve health and wellbeing."

The Bristol Medical School: Populational Health Sciences (PHS) said: "Our study is exciting because it takes us a step further towards understanding why some diets can lead to ill health."


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