Consuming Sucrose- or HFCS-sweetened Beverages Increases Hepatic Lipid and Decreases Insulin Sensitivity in Adults

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Oct 21;106(11):3248-3264. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab508.

Abstract

Context: Studies in rodents and humans suggest that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-sweetened diets promote greater metabolic dysfunction than sucrose-sweetened diets.

Objective: To compare the effects of consuming sucrose-sweetened beverage (SB), HFCS-SB, or a control beverage sweetened with aspartame on metabolic outcomes in humans.

Methods: A parallel, double-blinded, NIH-funded study. Experimental procedures were conducted during 3.5 days of inpatient residence with controlled feeding at a research clinic before (baseline) and after a 12-day outpatient intervention period. Seventy-five adults (18-40 years) were assigned to beverage groups matched for sex, body mass index (18-35 kg/m2), and fasting triglyceride, lipoprotein and insulin concentrations. The intervention was 3 servings/day of sucrose- or HFCS-SB providing 25% of energy requirement or aspartame-SB, consumed for 16 days. Main outcome measures were %hepatic lipid, Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and Predicted M ISI.

Results: Sucrose-SB increased %hepatic lipid (absolute change: 0.6 ± 0.2%) compared with aspartame-SB (-0.2 ± 0.2%, P < 0.05) and compared with baseline (P < 0.001). HFCS-SB increased %hepatic lipid compared with baseline (0.4 ± 0.2%, P < 0.05). Compared with aspartame-SB, Matsuda ISI decreased after consumption of HFCS- (P < 0.01) and sucrose-SB (P < 0.01), and Predicted M ISI decreased after consumption of HFCS-SB (P < 0.05). Sucrose- and HFCS-SB increased plasma concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and uric acid compared with aspartame-SB. No outcomes were differentially affected by sucrose- compared with HFCS-SB. Beverage group effects remained significant when analyses were adjusted for changes in body weight.

Conclusion: Consumption of both sucrose- and HFCS-SB induced detrimental changes in hepatic lipid, insulin sensitivity, and circulating lipids, lipoproteins and uric acid in 2 weeks.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01103921.

Keywords: Sugar-sweetened beverages; high-fructose corn syrup; insulin sensitivity; lipids; liver fat; sucrose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Body Mass Index
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Sucrose / adverse effects*
  • Sugar-Sweetened Beverages / adverse effects*
  • Sweetening Agents / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Sucrose

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01103921