A detailed 90 minute presentation by Robert Lustig M.D, about negative health effects of Fructose.
Fructose, like Glucose, is a very simple carbohydrate. It has the same molecular formula as Glucose (C6 H12 O6), but different molecular structure. It is present naturally in Fruits etc. Sucrose (table sugar) is 50% Glucose and 50% Fructose. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a manufactured sweetener with around 42-55% Fructose and rest Glucose. Both HFCS and Sucrose break-up into Glucose / Fructose in the stomach, within seconds.
The speaker’s main thesis is this:
1. In quantities being consumed now-a-days, Fructose has many negative health effects.
2. “Fructose is not Glucose”. The way the body metabolizes Glucoses is very different from the way it metabolizes Fructose.
3. Excess Fructose consumption is contributing to Obesity.
4. Fructose is metabolized similar to alchohol. It has many of the negative health effects that alchohol has. Lustig calls Fructose “Alchohol without the buzz”.
Summary slide from the talk:
Practical take-away’s from the talk:
1. Avoid sugared stuff (aerated soft drinks, sugared fruit juices, sweets etc) as much as possible.
2. Have more fiber in the diet. Modern foods tend to be loaded with carbs without fiber.
The whole presentation is worth watching. In fact, i watched the entire talk twice because its very educative. Pls take some time for it.
