Heart failure Fructose drives vicious circle

Researchers find a hitherto unknown fructose-dependent molecular mechanism that can contribute to heart enlargement and failure.

Image: Brent Hofacker / fotolia.com

Fructose was considered to be less harmful than glucose because, unlike glucose, it hardly causes any insulin secretion and the blood glucose level rises only slightly. The recurring insulin spikes can be avoided. The disadvantage: The liver converts fructose into fat very efficiently.

Unrestrained heart muscle growth
Researchers from Switzerland now show another explosive "side effect" of fructose. They have discovered a hitherto unknown molecular mechanism that identifies fructose as a key driver of uncontrolled growth of the heart muscle that can lead to fatal heart failure. More here too. (Pm)