Is added fructose fracturing your future?
Fructose shows up in table sugar (it's about 50% fructose). And high fructose corn syrup, containing from 42% to 55% fructose, is in everything from soda, agave syrup (90% fructose) and baked goods to cereal. If you eat processed foods and drink fruit juices, power drinks and sodas, it's hard to avoid taking in far more than is good for you.
One older study found that fructose adds up to about 10% of Americans' calories, with many adults consuming more than 50 grams daily. It's probably higher these days! (Around 25 grams to 40 grams daily from natural sources like high-fiber fruits that slow their digestion and entrance into your bloodstream is considered safe.)
And now we learn that the dangers of added fructose are even greater than we suspected. According to a study in Nature Metabolism, it ups your risk of weight gain, encourages your liver to produce excess triglycerides, ups the chance of developing metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart woes, gout, and certain malignancies -- and contributes to dementia.
To get free of added fructose and high fructose corn syrup, read ingredient labels on everything you buy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fructose may appear disguised as crystalline fructose, fruit juice concentrate, agave nectar, and, in some cases, simply as "sugar" or "syrup." Also, pay attention to all added sugars; your body can only safely handle 4 grams of added sugar an hour and 20 grams a day.
To discover the subtle, sweet flavors of natural foods, well-prepared, check out my "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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