Fructose ‘may help to control blood sugar levels’

Research from St Michael's Hospital in the US has revealed that fructose consumption could provide some benefits if kept under adequate control.

Results from the study show that fructose is able to improve levels of blood sugar control among patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, with benefits equivalent to what can be achieved via an oral antidiabetic drug.

This was accomplished without any accompanying adverse effects on body weight, blood pressure, uric acid or cholesterol.

Currently, the high intake of fructose in many countries has led to a perception that it is unhealthy or harmful, but the fructose diets used in the trial were shown to contain the same number of calories as those without.

Dr John Sievenpiper, a senior author of the study, said: "Over the last decade, there have been connections made between fructose intake and rates of obesity. However, this research suggests that the problem is likely one of overconsumption, not fructose."

This comes after a study was launched earlier this month by the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services to establish whether there is a link between fructose intake and elevated blood pressure.