Excessive consumption of fructose, a type of sugar found in fruits and processed foods, poses significant health risks, including liver fat accumulation, insulin resistance, increased blood pressure, and potentially even bowel cancer. These are the findings of internist-endocrinologist and professor Martijn Brouwers (Maastricht UMC), who emphasizes the evolutionary origins of our craving for sweet and fatty foods and the role of the food industry in catering to these desires. Brouwers advocates for government intervention to promote healthier lifestyles.

Brouwers explains that fructose, once scarce and primarily available during specific seasons, served as a signal of abundance in prehistoric times, triggering fat storage in the liver to prepare for leaner periods. However, the constant availability of fructose in modern diets disrupts this natural process, leading to health problems. The liver’s unique ability to convert fructose directly into fat can result in insulin resistance, elevated blood glucose and fat levels, and damage to blood vessels, contributing to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

While Brouwers does not advocate for a completely fructose-free diet and acknowledges the health benefits of fruit, he stresses the dangers of overconsumption. He points out that the food industry has capitalized on our evolutionary predisposition for high-calorie foods, resulting in a surplus of unhealthy products in supermarkets. Because the food industry won’t change on its own as unhealthy food is a solid business model, there is a task for the government.

Brouwers suggests a multi-pronged approach involving education, food labeling, and the Nutri-Score system. He also calls for measures such as a sugar tax, reduced VAT on fruits and vegetables, and improved access to sports clubs. He highlights the effectiveness of a sugar tax implemented in the United Kingdom, which prompted manufacturers to reduce sugar content in soft drinks.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of weight loss medication, Brouwers argues that it should not be the sole solution. He insists society needs to addresses the root causes of unhealthy eating habits through comprehensive strategies. He stresses that society needs to address this problem at the source and a counter-movement is needed that encourages people to live healthy lives.