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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307342
Title: Fructose, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and non-alcoholic liver disease

Author
item LICHTENSTEIN, ALICE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item CHUNG, MEI - Tufts University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/16/2013
Publication Date: 3/12/2014
Citation: Lichtenstein, A.H., Chung, M. 2014. Fructose, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and non-alcoholic liver disease. IN: Shlian, Sherrie. Sweeteners and Health: An Evidence-Based Guide. Chapter 9. New York, NY. Springer/Deved, Inc. pp. 325-339.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), formerly called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is characterized by hepatic steatosis and abnormal triglyceride accumulation in liver cells. Its etiology, pathophysiology, and pathogenesis are still poorly understood. Some have suggested that the increased intake of sweeteners over the past few decades, particularly fructose, may be contributing to the increased incidence of NAFLD. However, few studies have directly distinguished between the effects of increases in energy intake and/or body weight from high intakes of mono- and disaccharides, particularly fructose, per se, on NAFLD. The clinical significance of the currently available data is questionable due to study limitations such as small sample size, short intervention periods, lack of energy intake and/or body weight control, use of pure fructose rather than sucrose or HFCS, and fructose loads that exceed current intakes.