Low-fructose diet may be beneficial in obesity, hypertension

Sticking to a low-fructose diet helps improve several anthropometric and metabolic variables, which could have favourable effects on obesity and hypertension, according to a meta-analysis.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials wherein the effects of low-fructose diets on anthropometric and metabolic factors were evaluated. Multiple online databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for relevant studies. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to examine the quality of the included studies.

Ten trials, which involved a total of 750 participants, with intervention durations ranging from 4 to 24 weeks, were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled data showed that low-fructose diets had no significant effect on weight but conferred beneficial effects on body mass index (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.2, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −0.37 to −0.04; p=0.017) and waist circumference (SMD, −0.48, 95 percent CI, −0.67 to −0.29; p<0.0001).

Additionally, low-fructose diets were associated with significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SMD, −0.24, 95 percent CI, −0.39 to −0.09; p=0.002), fasting blood glucose (SMD, −0.23, 95 percent CI, −0.40 to −0.07; p=0.005), haemoglobin A1c (SMD, −0.62, 95 percent CI, −0.93 to −0.31; p<0.0001), and triglyceride levels (SMD, −0.17, 95 percent CI, −0.33 to −0.02; p=0.028).

No positive effect was seen for diastolic blood pressure, insulin levels, or homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.

Subgroup analysis indicated that a low-fructose diet had a greater effect on healthy participants older than 50 years.