Too much sugar produces free radicals

A new clinical study has shown that glucose ingestion can lead to increased production of free radicals in the body.

Doctors at State University of New York in Buffalo gave volunteers a solution of either glucose or saccharin. Blood samples were taken at various times up to three hours later. Factors associated with oxidative damage and free radical generation were significantly increased in the sugar group, but not in those who received saccharin.

Sugar has long been suspected to be involved in the production of free radicals which, in turn, may contribute to problems such as atherosclerosis.

While there is a great deal of information showing that certain foods can fight free radical damage, this is believed to be the first study to prove that nutrition also has a role to play in generating the problem in the first place (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2000; 85: 2970-3).