The link between soda intake and asthma: science points to the high-fructose corn syrup, not the preservatives: a commentary.

L R Dechristopher,J Uribarri,K L Tucker

doi:10.1038/nutd.2016.46

L R Dechristopher, J Uribarri + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/nutd.2016.46

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Journal: Nutrition & diabetes	Publication Date: Nov 1, 2016
Citations: 29	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Abstract

Recent research conducted by investigators at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion—a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—found that 'Regular-Soda Intake, Independent of Weight Status, is Associated with Asthma among US High School Students.' On the basis of their review of prior studies, researchers hypothesized that the association may be due to high intake of sodium benzoate, a commonly used preservative in US soft drinks. But a closer look at these prior research studies suggests that there is no strong scientific evidence that the preservatives in US soft drinks are associated with asthma. Importantly, other recent research suggests that the association may be with the unpaired (excess free) fructose in high fructose corn syrup.

Highlights

In 2013, researchers at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion – a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – found that 'RegularSoda Intake, Independent of Weight Status, is Associated with Asthma among US High School Students.' The study was based on data collected from 15 960 students who participated in the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
In the above referenced study, researchers suggested that 'one possible reason for finding the significant association between soda intake and current asthma might be the presence of food preservatives in sodas and other foods, such as sodium benzoate or sulphites, as most sodas contain sodium benzoate as a preservative, which has been associated with negative reactions and worsening of asthma symptoms.'[1] CDC researchers developed this hypothesis based on their review of prior research
This led to development of the 'fructositis' hypothesis which raises the possibility that consumption of unpaired fructose, as occurs in high fructose corn syrup and certain other foods, contributes to the intestinal in situ formation of pro-inflammatory advanced glycation end-products (AGE) due to underlying fructose malabsorption.[17,18,19,20]

Summary

SHORT COMMUNICATION

The link between soda intake and asthma: science points to the high-fructose corn syrup, not the preservatives: a commentary. Recent research conducted by investigators at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion—a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—found that 'Regular-Soda Intake, Independent of Weight Status, is Associated with Asthma among US High School Students.' On the basis of their review of prior studies, researchers hypothesized that the association may be due to high intake of sodium benzoate, a commonly used preservative in US soft drinks. A closer look at these prior research studies suggests that there is no strong scientific evidence that the preservatives in US soft drinks are associated with asthma. Other recent research suggests that the association may be with the unpaired (excess free) fructose in high fructose corn syrup. Nutrition & Diabetes (2016) 6, e234; doi:10.1038/nutd.2016.46; published online 28 November 2016

INTRODUCTION

With high levels of unabsorbed fructose and favorable alkaline

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Findings

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS