Fructose and Diabetes

Does Fructose Consumption Cause Diabetes?

The availability of unlimited amounts of simple sugars is a modern phenomenon, having emerged with the onset of world trade in cane sugar during the 18th century (Tappy and Le, 2010). During the last half of the 20th century the development of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), consisting of an equal mixture of glucose and fructose, has captured approximately 50% of the sweetener market because of lower cost, sweeter taste, improved shelf-life, and better moisture retention. Concern over its use as a sweetener in a variety of popular foods and drinks is growing though, because it coincides with a worldwide epidemic increases in obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (Yki-Jarvinen, 2010). This essay examines the evidence supporting or not supporting a causative role for fructose in type 2 diabetes.

Evidence for Fructose Causing Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of obesity and type 2...
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