The aim of this review was to focus on the role of fructose in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. It is now more and more reported that increased dietary intake of fructose is associated with adverse metabolic effects such as increased plasma triglyceride concentrations, hepatic steatosis, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in both rodents and humans. It has been observed in humans that a high-fructose, hypercaloric diet can lead to ectopic fat deposition in liver cells and skeletal muscle, consequently inducing hepatic insulin resistance as well as impairing glucose homeostasis. Moreover, a high-fructose diet has also been shown to increase intra-abdominal (visceral) fat. Consumption of sweetened beverages was recognized to account for the major portion of total fructose intake. These previous observations and the dramatic rise in sweetened beverage intake were suggested to be responsible for the epidemics of obesity and related metabolic disorders that we are currently facing. Thus, these results underline the necessity to recommend limiting consumption of sugar calories according to specific targets depending on the age and sex of the individuals.
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