According to a new study, swapping fructose for other carbohydrates does not impact triglycerides.
The systematic review found that when fructose replaced another type of carbohydrate, calories were kept the same and there was no increase in postprandial triglyceride levels, which is the amount of fat in a person’s blood after a meal. Further, the authors found that there was no link between fructose consumption and post-meal triglyceride levels even when people consumed high levels of fructose. The researchers found that the only time triglyceride levels went up after eating was when too many calories were consumed. Although there was a rise in postprandial triglyceride levels with hypercaloric intake, the authors concluded that it was more likely due to the excess calories and not fructose.
According to Theresa Hedrick, a dietitian with the Calorie Control Council, this study is good news for people who may eat lower-sugar products that contain fructose. “This review shows that eating fructose at normal levels will not negatively impact triglyceride levels.”