- Researchers investigated the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and high fructose corn syrup consumption.
- They found that high fructose consumption was associated with a high risk of NAFLD, especially among the most consumed Mexican-Americans.
- Researchers conclude that foods high in fructose corn syrup should be avoided to prevent NAFLD.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver and can lead to permanent scarring of the liver called cirrhosis.Around it
Risk factors for NAFLD
- Low HDL cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- High BMI
- Year
- High blood pressure
- Waist circumference
Previous
Other studies also suggest that the prevalence of NAFLD is highest in Hispanics compared to whites and blacks.
Investigating high fructose corn syrup consumption and NAFLD rates may help researchers identify the reasons behind various risk factors among ethnic groups.
Recently, researchers have analyzed the association between NAFLD and high-fructose corn syrup consumption among different ethnic groups.
They found that the higher the amount of fructose consumed, the higher the incidence of NAFLD, and that Mexican-Americans were the most affected.
Researchers presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits, fruit juices, certain vegetables and honey. Fructose is also found in high fructose corn syrup and is often added to foods such as sodas and candies.
Researchers surveyed data from 3,292 participants in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data in their analysis included fructose consumption, demographic factors including ethnicity, and the incidence of NAFLD.
Of the participants, 31.3% were in the “moderate” fructose consumption group and 35.5% were in the high consumption group.
Fructose consumption came from a variety of sources:
- 29% from baked goods, pasta and other grains
- 28% from fruits and items containing fruits
- 16% from sweeteners, seasonings and sauces
- 16% from soda
Overall, 48% of Mexican-Americans and 44% of non-Hispanic blacks belonged to the high fructose consumption group compared to 33% of non-Hispanic whites.
Researchers have found that 70% of Mexican-Americans in the high fructose consumption group have NAFLD, compared to 52% of Mexican-Americans in the low-consumption group.
Researchers also found that among all ethnic groups, those with high fructose intake were more likely to suffer from NAFLD.
When asked what could explain the link between high fructose corn syrup consumption and NAFLD, research presenter Dr. Theodor Friedman of Charles R. Drew University in Washington, DC said: Today’s medical news:
“High fructose corn syrup can cause NAFLD by several mechanisms. It can increase the amount of fat produced by the liver. It also increases liver inflammation and the liver metabolizes glucose. It can change the way it is done, and it can also increase abdominal fat, which can lead to NAFLD. “
Dr. Curtis K. Argo, an associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine who was not involved in the study, said:
“High fructose corn syrup can cause many inflammatory pathways that can be initiated by changes in the composition of the intestinal flora and weakening of the completeness of the intestinal barrier.”
“”[This may then permit] Microorganisms and toxins (such as endotoxins) that gain access to portal circulation and increase fat deposition and liver inflammation through maladaptive lipid droplet metabolism of hepatocytes (major functional hepatocytes) in at-risk patients. ). [In turn, this may then lead] Against NAFLD, and perhaps a more detrimental version of fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), “he explained.
The researchers concluded that the association between high fructose consumption and the development of NAFLD partially explained the racial and ethnic disparities in NAFLD.
Dr. Rohit Loomba, director of the NAFLD Research Center at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the study, said: MNT Research has its limits.
Dr. Loomba explained that because the findings were from epidemiological studies, researchers found only relevance, not causal inference.
Dr. Argo added: “This study is limited because it is based on all non-invasive parameters (rather than the long-standing gold standard liver biopsy) that are inaccurate in quantifying liver fat content. Is only a small percentage of the patients who participated in the NHANES study. ”
