Fructose-rich diet 'risky' for teen heart health
Youngsters who consume large amounts of fructose may have an elevated risk of heart disease in the future, scientists say.Fructose - also known as fruit sugar - is found in fruit and vegetables, as well as in sweeteners that are used in processed foods and drinks.
Scientists at Georgia Health Sciences University studied 559 children, aged 14 to 18, and found that those with a high-fructose diet tended to have higher blood pressure and glucose levels than those who consumed less of the controversial sweetener.
They also had higher levels of inflammatory factors that are associated with cardiovascular disease, and lower levels of protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL or 'good cholesterol').
Study author Dr Vanessa Bundy, whose findings are published in the Journal of Nutrition, said that parents should aim to secure a healthy balance in children's diet plans.
"The nutrition that caregivers provide their children will either contribute to their overall health and development or potentially contribute to cardiovascular disease at an early age," she warned.
Scientists at the University of Texas have previously warned against viewing sugary sports drinks as a healthy choice.
Their study, which was published in Pediatrics journal in 2010, found that active children who eat plenty of fruit and vegetables tend to consume large amounts of sugary sports beverages in the belief that they are good for them.
