Fructose: Not Just a Calorie, but a Metabolic Trigger Linked to Obesity

A Nature Metabolism review argues fructose acts as a distinct metabolic signal from glucose, promoting fat production and lowering cellular energy, which may contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. The analysis notes fructose is consumed in common sweeteners like sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup and can also be produced internally from glucose, highlighting health risks beyond calories.