Richard Johnson: How High Fructose Intake Induces Obesity and Chronic Diseases of the Body and Brain

Compelling evidence shows that consumption of high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and ultraprocessed foods has contributed to the increases in obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and dementia that has occurred during the past 50 years. Professor Richard Johnson’s research has been at the forefront of establishing how fructose adversely affects cellular energetics and function, and what happens to various organ systems with chronic consumption of fructose. Interestingly, cells can convert to glucose to fructose under certain conditions suggesting a roles for endogenously produced fructose in adverse effects of high glucose intake on health. Animal studies have shown that high fructose intake impairs cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Fructose is also stimulates hunger and food-seeking behaviors resulting in overeating. Evidence further suggests that high fructose during pregnancy can cause abnormal fetal brain development and increase the risk for developmental brain disorders – most notably autism.

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Reviews

Fructose and obesity

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10363705/pdf/rstb.2022.0230.pdf

Fructose and uric acid

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3781481/pdf/3307.pdf

Fructose and neuroplasticity

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12037248/pdf/JNME2025-5571686.pdf

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2694409/pdf/nihms72749.pdf

Fructose and autism

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6779523/pdf/nihms-1537205.pdf