A new study has found that excessive fructose consumption, particularly from processed foods, could promote cancer tumor growth.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, led by Dr. Gary Patti, revealed that high fructose intake may increase the development of tumors in animal models of melanoma, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
This research, recently published in Nature, explores the impact of fructose beyond its natural sources in fruits and vegetables.
Fructose, a natural sugar found in fruits, as well as some vegetables and honey, is typically harmless when consumed from a natural source such as an apple or dates. However, its prevalence in processed foods, particularly high-fructose corn syrup used in soda and packaged baked goods, has raised concerns due to its potential health risks.
Dr. Patti noted, “What has changed over the past four to five decades is that we started using it as an artificial sweetener in processed foods. As a result, many people are exposed to much higher levels than ever before.”
In the study, researchers found that when fructose is consumed in excess, the liver converts it into a lipid called lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), which are associated with inflammation.
This process can provide cancer cells with the necessary lipids to grow and replicate. “When cancer cells divide, they require a large amount of lipids,” Dr. Patti explained. “High levels of dietary fructose induce a similar process. The fructose is converted into lipids that can then feed the tumor.”
Dr. Patti cautioned that while this study sheds light on the potential effects of fructose on cancer cell growth, further research is needed to fully understand how dietary changes could influence tumor development. “Our understanding of these issues is only at its very early stages,” he added.
