Scientists Uncover a Surprising Way Fructose May Promote Obesity
The sugar is everywhere in our food.
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Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism linking fructose consumption to weight gain that goes beyond simple calorie intake. A team from the University of California, Irvine, published findings in Science Advances revealing how the body processes high-fructose corn syrup in ways that may promote fat absorption and ultimately obesity.
The study involved genetically modified mice lacking KHK-C, an enzyme essential for breaking down fructose in the small intestine. When these mice consumed high doses of high-fructose corn syrup for 12 weeks, they gained significantly less weight and accumulated less body fat compared to control groups. Researchers discovered that without proper fructose metabolism in the intestine, the body’s ability to absorb dietary fat was substantially reduced.
The mechanism operates through a specific biological pathway: when fructose is processed normally, it triggers the production of immune cells called macrophages in the ileum, the final section of the small intestine. These cells promote the growth of lacteals, specialized structures that transport dietary fat for absorption. Without fructose processing, this chain reaction doesn’t occur, resulting in reduced fat uptake and increased fat excretion. The researchers confirmed this by transferring altered gut bacteria from the modified mice to normal mice, which produced similar fat absorption reductions.
While these results were demonstrated in mice, they suggest sugar and fat may work synergistically to promote metabolic disorders. Scientists hope these findings could eventually lead to probiotic treatments that limit fat absorption in humans consuming high-sugar diets.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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