- The number of people with obesity has increased rapidly over the past 50 years.
- Probable causes are an energy imbalance, where energy intake exceeds energy used, or diets high in fat, or carbohydrates.
- However, a new study suggests a different hypothesis — that fructose, a simple sugar found in many foods, may be the driver of obesity.
- The authors propose that fructose resets cell metabolism, increasing hunger and driving the desire for energy-rich foods, such as fats and carbohydrates, which results in weight gain.
Obesity is a growing problem worldwide. According to the
In the
Having obesity increases the risk of many health conditions and adverse events, such as sleep apnea, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
It may also increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers, and is linked to issues with the digestive system, skin, fertility, and mental health.
But what is causing this huge increase in obesity cases globally? Theories include:
Now, a paper from the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine proposes that a single substance — fructose — may drive all of these models of weight gain.
The authors have built on their previous work about the effect of fructose on cells, formulating the “fructose survival hypothesis” to explain the rapid increase in obesity rates.
The paper is published in
Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for the National Coalition on Healthcare, not involved in this research, commented on this emerging hypothesis for Medical News Today:
“The study introduces a compelling integration of existing obesity theories, suggesting that obesity is not…
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