Fructose Not to Blame for Obesity

Fructose has taken a lot of blame for the obesity epidemic. High fructose corn syrup is widespread in soft drinks, baked goods, ketchup and other processed foods. Some experts have postulated that fructose is metabolized differently from other carbohydrates and contributes more than its share to weight gain. A new analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine reviewed more than 40 studies and concluded that fructose does not seem to cause weight gain when it is substituted for other carbohydrates. When fructose adds extra calories to the diet, people gain weight. The investigators conclude that it’s the calories that count rather than fructose per se.

[Annals of Internal Medicine, online Feb. 20, 2012]