High-fructose corn syrup linked to cancer growth

Breakfast pancake stack served with blueberries and honey.
High-fructose corn syrup use linked to cancer growth. (Getty Images)

The beverage sweetener is under fire in a new study

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), also known as glucose–fructose, isoglucose and glucose–fructose syrup, is an industry staple, used in everything from breakfast cereals to soft drinks. And its popularity continues to grow, reaching a global market value of 9.21 billion USD this year and maintaining a CAGR of 1.8%, according to Coherent Market Insights.

But new research from Washington University in St Louis, linking HFCS to tumor growth, has once again put the spotlight on the health implications of this widely used sweetener.

Which foods contain high-fructose corn syrup?

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common sweetener, used in a wide variety of foods and beverages, including chocolates, cakes, soft drinks, ice creams, breakfast cereals and fast foods.

Could HFCS feed tumor growth?

A new study, published in the journal Nature, has analysed the behavior of fructose in the body, finding that the liver converts dietary fructose into nutrients, which feed tumor growth.

“The idea that you can tackle cancer with diet is intriguing,” says Gary Patti, professor of genetics and medicine at Washington University in St Louis. “When we think about tumors, we tend to focus on what dietary components they consume directly. You put something in your body, and then you imagine that the tumor takes it up. But humans are complex. What you put in your body can be consumed by healthy tissue and then converted into something else that tumors use.”

The team began their investigation by feeding tumor-bearing animals a diet rich in fructose, then measuring how quickly their tumors grew. They found that adding fructose, promoted tumor growth, without changing body weight, fasting glucose, or fasting insulin levels.

“We were surprised to see that it had a rather dramatic impact. In some cases, the growth rate of the tumors accelerated by two-fold or even higher,” says Professor Patti. “Eating a lot of fructose was clearly very bad for the progression of these tumors.”

Using metabolomics — a method of profiling small molecules as they move through cells and across different tissues in the body — the researchers concluded that one way in which high levels of fructose consumption promotes tumor growth, is by increasing the availability of circulating lipids in the blood. These lipids are building blocks for the cell membrane, and cancer cells need them to grow.

“We looked at numerous different cancers in various tissues throughout the body, and they all followed the same mechanism,” explains Professor Patti.

The researchers highlighted that although fructose is similar to glucose, in terms of chemical structure, the two types of sugar differ in how the body metabolizes them. Glucose is processed throughout the whole body, while fructose is almost entirely metabolized by the small intestine and liver.

Horizontal high angle, directly overhead view of a dozen frosted cupcakes. The cupcakes are against a white background and are decorated with swirls, sprinkles, drizzles and candies—a tempting decadent treat for those who indulge in sweets and love cakes with lots of toppings.
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is often used as a sweetener in cakes. (YinYang/Getty Images)


Also read → Could plant-based diet slow cancer progression?

How could this research impact the food and beverage industry?

Fructose is added as a sweetener to most processed foods and is favored by the food industry because it’s sweeter than glucose. It’s most commonly used by food and beverage manufacturers through high-fructose corn syrup.

“Almost everything has it,” says Professor Patti. “It’s not just candy and cake, but also foods such as pasta sauce, salad dressing and ketchup.”

Fructose is also found naturally in fruits, vegetables, dairy products and grains.

HFCS was given the green light by the FDA in the 1980s and used extensively in foods and beverages since.

But it has come under fire, particularly over the last decade, as a possible factor in a variety of health problems, ranging from obesity to diabetes.

That has led consumers to avoid HFCS, while some manufacturers have followed consumer trends and also stopped using the ingredient (Gatorade being one example).

HFCS has also previously been linked to cancer in animal studies: such as in a 2021 study which found excess consumption of fructose can promote colorectal cancer, and a 2019 study which found HFCS enhances intestinal tumor growth.

The WashU researchers point out that - over the same period of time when human fructose consumption has surged - a number of cancers have become increasingly more prevalent in people under 50 years old.

The researchers are now teaming up with their colleagues in medicine to explore whether the trends are linked.

“One take-home message from this current study is that if you are unfortunate enough to have cancer, then you probably want to think about avoiding fructose. Sadly, that is easier said than done,” Patti said.

But beyond diet, this new research could also help scientists develop a way to prevent fructose from driving tumor growth therapeutically, using drugs.

The authors are now working with clinical partners at WashU Medicine to explore a clinical trial related to fructose in the diet.

A close-up of a person holding a bowl filled with fresh strawberries and blueberries, signifying healthy eating and freshness.
Fructose occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains. (FreshSplash/Getty Images)

Source: Dietary fructose enhances tumor growth indirectly via interorgan lipid transfer
Published online: 4 December 2024
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08258-3
Authors: Ronald Fowle-Grider, Joe L Rowles III, Isabel Shen, et al.