Recent research shows that a high fructose diet can be closely linked to obesity and weight problems.

According to the study, consuming fructose seems to have an effect on cells that allows them to take in more nutrients. This could explain the rising numbers of obesity in areas where fructose is a large part of people’s diet. The research was centered around villi, the hair-like structures that line the inside of the intestine, which grew longer with a diet that was higher in fructose.

Senior author Dr. Marcus DaSilva Goncalves, the Ralph L. Nachman Research Scholar. An assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and an endocrinologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said, “Fructose is structurally different from other sugars like glucose. And it gets metabolized differently. Our research has found that fructose’s primary metabolite promotes the elongation of villi. And supports intestinal tumor growth.”

While several more tests were done, it was obvious that a fructose-heavy diet promoted excessive weight gain, tumor growth, and the possibilities of cancer growth.

Samuel Taylor, a Tri-Institutional M.D.and Ph.D. Program student in Dr. Goncalves’ lab, said, “In mammals. Especially hibernating mammals in temperate climates, you have fructose being very available in the fall months when the fruit is ripe. Eating a lot of fructose may help these animals to absorb and convert more nutrients to fat. Which they need to get through the winter.”

Dr. Marcus DaSilva Goncalves also said, “Fructose itself is not harmful. It’s a problem of overconsumption. Our bodies were not designed to eat as much of it as we do.”

This research is just further proof of how important it is to eat a more balanced diet, consuming things like fructose in limited amounts for good health.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
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• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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