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Consuming glucose-sweetened, not fructose-sweetened, beverages increases fasting insulin in healthy humans

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 487–490 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Fructose-, compared to glucose-, sweetened beverages increase liver triglyceride content in the short-term, prior to weight gain. In secondary analyses of a randomized cross-over design study during which 24 healthy adults consumed 25% of their estimated energy requirement in the form of glucose-, fructose-, and high-fructose corn syrup-sweetened beverages in addition to an identical ad libitum diet for three periods of 8 days each, we investigated the hypothesis that fructose in sweetened beverages also triggers insulin resistance in the short term. Total energy intake, body weight, and fasting glucose did not differ among diet phases. However, there was a significant trend for higher fasting insulin (p = 0.042 for trend) and, among normal-weight participants, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (p = 0.034 for diet × adiposity interaction) according to the glucose content of the beverages. In conclusion, in contrast to our hypothesis, insulin resistance was increased with higher glucose vs. fructose content of the beverages in this short-term trial.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Pamela Y. Yang, Xiaoling Song, Michelle A. Wurscher, Peggie Bates, Sara Bennett, Linda Glockling, and David Hatten. The authors’ responsibilities were as follows—J.N.K.: completed laboratory procedures, statistical analysis of the data, and the first draft of the manuscript; J.N.K. and G.C.: were responsible for collection of the data; D.K.H.: provided technical assistance; K.L.B.: oversaw preparation of all study meals; C.L.R.: provided input on study design and data analysis and interpretation; K.E.F.-S.: served as the physician of record for the study; S.E.H.: provided statistical guidance; D.S.W.: was involved in the design of the studies as well as in data analysis and interpretation; M.K.: initiated the studies and had overall responsibility for the design and conduct of the studies as well as the data analyses; and all authors: contributed to the preparation of the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript. None of the authors reported a conflict of interest related to the study.

Funding

Supported by NIH grant R21HL108257 (to M. Kratz), NIH grant P30 DK017047 (University of Washington Diabetes Research Center), and NIH grant P30 CA015704 (FHCRC Cancer Consortium Cancer Center Support Grant). J.N. Kuzma was supported in part by grant R25CA094880 from the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jessica N. Kuzma, Gail Cromer, Derek K. Hagman, Sarah E. Holte & Mario Kratz

  2. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jessica N. Kuzma & Mario Kratz

  3. Prevention Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kara L. Breymeyer

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Christian L. Roth

  5. Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Karen E. Foster-Schubert, David S. Weigle & Mario Kratz

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  1. Jessica N. Kuzma
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  2. Gail Cromer
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  3. Derek K. Hagman
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  4. Kara L. Breymeyer
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  5. Christian L. Roth
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  6. Karen E. Foster-Schubert
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  7. Sarah E. Holte
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  8. David S. Weigle
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  9. Mario Kratz
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Correspondence to Mario Kratz.

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Kuzma, J.N., Cromer, G., Hagman, D.K. et al. Consuming glucose-sweetened, not fructose-sweetened, beverages increases fasting insulin in healthy humans. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 487–490 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0297-5

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