The Role of Fructose as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: An Update

Abstract

There is increasing presence of fructose in food and drinks, and some evidence suggests that its higher consumption increases cardiovascular risk, although the mechanisms still remain not fully elucidated. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still responsible for one-third of deaths worldwide, and therefore, their prevention should be assessed and managed comprehensively and not by the evaluation of individual risk factor components. Lifestyle risk factors for CVD include low degree of physical activity, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, and nutritional factors. Indeed, nutritional risk factors for CVD include unhealthy dietary behaviors, such as high intake of refined foods, unhealthy fats, added sugars, and sodium and a low intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber, fish, and nuts. Even though there is no definitive association between CVD incidence and high consumption of total sugar, such as sucrose and fructose, there is, however, evidence that total sugars, added sugars, and fructose are harmfully associated with CVD mortality. Since high fructose intake is associated with elevated plasma triglyceride levels, as well as insulin resistance, diabetes hyperuricemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, further longitudinal studies should be conducted to fully elucidate the potential association between certain sugars and CVD.

Sex and Age Differences Modulate Association of Vitamin D with Serum Triglyceride Levels

“…Eating habits have a great impact on TG metabolism. Higher intake of simple sugars was found to contribute to increased plasma concentrations of TG [ 39 ]. A recent analysis of 191,558 participants revealed that higher fish consumption was associated with lower TG levels [ 40 ].…”

Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Attributable to Low Whole-Grain Intake in CHINA: An Age-Period-Cohort and Joinpoint Analysis

“…Low WG intake is probably one of the most important but easiest-to-be-ignored factors. With the literature review, we found more and more researchers have noticed the impact of WGs on CVD and the association between CVD and WG intake [ 13 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. However, few studies have focused on a comprehensive analysis of the long-term trend of CVD mortality attributable to low WG intake in China.…”

“…A newly published prospective study based on a long-running birth cohort study in Australia also concluded the same result [ 22 ]. Active ingredients in whole grains, such as dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, lingams, phytosterols, etc., can affect cardiovascular health through the metabolism of sugar, blood lipids, lipoproteins, and vascular endothelial function [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Molecular Mapping of Antifungal Mechanisms Accessing Biomaterials and New Agents to Target Oral Candidiasis

“…It is well known that tooth decay is directly related to the development of periodontal disease, both being linked to poor nutritional support for the patient [ 2 ]. Individuals suffering from periodontal disease are at high risk of developing severe cardiovascular events [ 3 ], heart attack, and stroke, which are responsible for a high mortality rate or health complications affecting the quality of life [ 4 , 5 ]. Furthermore, periodontal disease, characterized by chronic inflammatory events, was closely studied due to an additional risk of developing oral cancer in relation to habits such as smoking or alcohol intake [ 6 ].…”