#570: Fructose: Metabolism, Claims & Context for Risk – Scott Harding, PhD

Fructose has often been labeled a uniquely damaging nutrient, blamed for obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. But does fructose truly have unique harmful effects or are the risks associated with it related to context and quantity?

The episode explores how fructose is metabolized in the body, why it gained a reputation for being problematic, and what the scientific evidence says about fructose in our diets. You will gain insight into why fructose was singled out in the past (e.g., its unique pathway in the liver and lack of insulin response), and how newer studies put those concerns into context.

It covers important nuances for practitioners and health-conscious individuals, especially given public confusion and fear around fructose (even in fruit).

Guest Information

Dr. Scott Harding, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research explores the complex interactions between diet, metabolism, and chronic disease, with a particular emphasis on the metabolic effects of dietary sugars (especially fructose), the role of fats and phytosterols in lipid metabolism, and how public health policies like sugar taxation influence population health outcomes.

Timestamps

• [02:58] Dr. Harding’s academic background
• [08:45] Fructose metabolism in detail
• [12:51] Fructose in diet and public health
• [23:07] Current research
• [29:53] Identifying biomarkers for fructose overconsumption
• [31:12] Fructose impact on health
• [40:58] The food matrix
• [45:10] Personalized nutrition and future research directions
• [54:06] Key ideas segment (premium-only)

Related Resources

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• Related podcast episodes: #476, #468, #155
• See Sigma's "Recommended Resources"