Fructose under the Microscope: What is its Connection to Cancer?

9th December 2024

1 minute read

Fructose under the Microscope: What is its Connection to Cancer?

New research from Washington University has revealed an unexpected role of fructose in fueling cancer cells. The liver converts this sugar into nutrients that act as fuel for these cells.

These findings raise questions about the potential role of fructose in promoting tumor growth.

Fructose: Food or Threat?

Fructose, a type of sugar commonly found in modern diets, is widely used in the food industry, especially in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. According to Gary Patti, the lead researcher of the study, this sugar is present in many everyday products consumers might not expect, such as pasta sauces, ketchup, salad dressings, as well as candies and baked goods.

Patti emphasized that “what enters the body doesn’t just nourish healthy tissues; it can also be converted into compounds consumed by cancerous tumors.”

Fructose vs. Glucose

The study revealed that fructose differs from glucose in how it is metabolized. While glucose is processed throughout the body, fructose metabolism is confined to the small intestine and liver.

Initially, researchers believed that tumor cells might directly utilize fructose to build essential components like DNA.

However, molecular analysis showed that tumor cells lack the chemical mechanisms to metabolize fructose directly. Nevertheless, when the liver converts fructose into specific fats called “lysophosphatidylcholine,” cancer cells absorb these fats and use them as fuel.

Future Recommendations

This study highlights the importance of reducing fructose consumption as part of cancer prevention strategies. While the findings shed light on the role of fructose in feeding tumors, they also point to the need for further research to fully understand the dimensions of this relationship.