

EB. 132: You've Been Lied to About Fructose
May 13, 2025
Dive into the debate around fructose as a potential poison. Unpack claims by Robert Lustig and discover what's really behind the metabolic impacts of fructose compared to glucose and alcohol. Explore whether a high-carb diet leads to fatty liver and learn about the true effects of fruit juice and honey on health. The hosts challenge popular misconceptions, advocate for a balanced view of sugars, and suggest that critical factors like existing liver conditions often influence outcomes more than fructose itself.
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Lustig's Fructose Toxicity Claim
- Robert Lustig claims fructose is a poison that acts like alcohol.
- He distinguishes glucose as a 'good carbohydrate' and fructose as toxic mainly via liver effects.
Glucose Metabolism in Liver
- Only about 20% of glucose reaches the liver, mostly stored as glycogen.
- The liver uses glucose for energy and some excess can be converted to fat.
Alcohol's Unique Liver Toxicity
- Alcohol is fully metabolized by the liver, bypassing glycogen storage.
- Acetaldehyde from alcohol causes oxidative stress, liver inflammation, and mitochondrial damage.