Even brief exposure to fructose may elevate the chances of infections, particularly for individuals experiencing metabolic dysfunctions.
Notwithstanding advancements in medical science, illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria persist as a primary driver of global fatalities.
A research team headed by Ina Bergheim from the University of Vienna’s Department of Nutritional Sciences has, for the first time, demonstrated that monocytes—a crucial category of immune cells in the blood—exhibit a heightened sensitivity to bacterial toxins when fructose is present. The levels of receptors that detect these toxins increase, rendering the body more susceptible to inflammation. These findings have been published in the journal Redox Biology.
The experts conducted a pair of randomized trials involving healthy adult volunteers. They contrasted the immune system’s response after consuming fructose-sweetened beverages with the reaction following the intake of glucose-sweetened drinks. Furthermore, the researchers examined isolated monocytes and assessed their functionality using cell cultures.
The evidence gathered indicated that consuming fructose, unlike glucose, resulted in an elevated concentration of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) within the monocytes. This receptor is central to governing the immune system’s reaction. The augmented presence of TLR2 correlated with heightened sensitivity to lipoteichoic acid, a common bacterial toxin. Consequently, the inflammatory response was consequently intensified.
The scientists also observed an increased release of pro-inflammatory proteins, notably interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
The paper’s authors suggest that subsequent research ought to ascertain the long-term impact of substantial fructose consumption on immune system operation and the propensity for infection. The researchers are especially keen to understand this mechanism in people already coping with pre-existing health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or fatty liver disease.
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