Study reveals fructose-rich diet may cause damage to immune system

A high sugar fructose diet might prevent the proper functioning of peoples' immune systems in ways that have, until now, largely been unknown.

The study led by Swansea scientists in collaboration with scientists at the University of Bristol and the Francis Crick Institute in London has been published in the journal 'Nature Communications'.

Fructose is commonly found in sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods and is used widely in food production.

It is associated with obesity, type-2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its intake has increased substantially throughout the developed world in recent years.

However, understanding the impact of fructose on the immune system of people who consume it at high levels, has been limited until now.

The new study shows that fructose causes the immune system to become inflamed and that process produces more reactive molecules which are associated with inflammation.