Breaking News English

Study says fructose is a major cause of obesity

Fructose and Obesity - Level 4

Scientists have found that fructose is a big cause of obesity. Fructose is a fruit sugar. It is also used to make high fructose corn syrup, which causes obesity. Researchers found that fructose isn't the biggest source of calories, but it makes us want to eat fatty food. They suggested we change what we eat. They said we need to cut down on junk food. They also said we should think about reducing our fructose intake.

The researchers looked at all known causes of obesity. They found that the body converting fructose into energy reduces levels of a compound called ATP. When ATP falls, we eat more. A researcher said fructose makes "our metabolism to go into low power mode and [we] lose our control of appetite". Scientists believe that high amounts of fructose lead to health issues. The most common of these is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Fructose and Obesity - Level 5

Scientists have found that fructose, a naturally occurring sugar, is a big cause of obesity. Fructose is also known as "fruit sugar". It is also processed to make high fructose corn syrup. This is a cause of obesity and is in a lot of the food we eat. A study from the University of Colorado found that although fructose isn't the biggest source of calories, it makes us want to eat fatty food. Researchers suggested we change what we eat. They said studies recognize the need to reduce junk food, but "it remains unclear whether the focus should be on reducing [fructose] intake".

The researchers conducted a study of all known causes of obesity. They found that the way our body converts fructose into energy causes lower levels of a compound called ATP. When ATP falls, we eat more. The lead researcher said: "Fructose is what triggers our metabolism to go into low power mode and lose our control of appetite, but fatty foods become the major source of calories that drive weight gain." Scientists believe that high amounts of fructose lead to health issues. The most common of these is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Fructose and Obesity - Level 6

Scientists have discovered that fructose, a naturally occurring sugar, is a major driver of obesity. Fructose is also known as "fruit sugar". It occurs to varying degrees in fruit and vegetables. It is also used in processed form in high fructose corn syrup, which is in a lot of the food we eat, and promotes obesity. A study led by Dr Richard Johnson at the University of Colorado found that although fructose isn't the biggest source of calorific intake, it stimulates an urge to eat fattier food. Researchers posited a shift of focus on what we eat. They wrote: "All hypotheses recognize the importance of reducing 'junk' foods, [however] it remains unclear whether the focus should be on reducing [fructose] intake."

Dr Johnson and his colleagues conducted an exhaustive study of all known contributors to obesity. They found that the process of our body converting fructose into energy causes a drop in the levels of a compound called ATP. When ATP falls, our body tells us to eat more. Researchers call this process the fructose survival hypothesis. Johnson said: "Fructose is what triggers our metabolism to go into low power mode and lose our control of appetite, but fatty foods become the major source of calories that drive weight gain." Scientists have attributed the consumption of high amounts of fructose to health issues. The most common of these is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson