New Fact Sheet: Effect of Fructose-Containing Sugars on Metabolic Disease Risk Factors

Dietary fructose and fructose-containing sugars are found both naturally in fruits and vegetables and are added to some packaged foods and beverages. Many health associations recommend limiting sugars consumption due to concerns that it may increase the risk of chronic diseases. 

The dietitians and nutrition researchers at the Canadian Sugar Institute are pleased to share a new fact sheet, “Effect of Fructose-Containing Sugars on Metabolic Disease Risk Factors”, summarizing the results of a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) conducted by leading experts in the field from the University of Toronto, Canada. 

These SRMAs assessed the totality of evidence from all available clinical studies in humans. 

Key takeaways from the research: 

• Any adverse effect of fructose-containing sugars appears highly dependent on whether sugars are a source of excess energy.
• When consumed in energy-matched conditions (that is, when total energy intake remains the same), there are no harmful effects of fructose-containing sugars on key risk factors for major chronic diseases.

The fact sheet was reviewed by Laura Chiavaroli, PhD (Post-Doctoral Fellow, St. Michael’s Hospital) and Dr. John Sievenpiper, MD, PhD, FRCPC (Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Toronto; Staff Clinician, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Michael’s Hospital). 

For more information, 

• Download the fact sheet in both English and French from our website. 
• Details of these SMRAs can be found at: NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov Meta-analyses of Fructose and Cardiometabolic Risk Study Identifier: NCT01363791