Fruit juice to fatty liver
Care # 16
Tl;Dr
Fruit juice, despite being perceived as healthy, can cause fatty liver due to its high fructose content.
Fructose is metabolized by the liver and can lead to metabolic syndrome, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The lack of fiber in fruit juice accelerates fructose absorption, increasing health risks even without weight gain.
Smoothies with fruit juices can spike blood sugar levels, sometimes higher than sodas.
Fruit juice is a hidden cause of fatty liver due to its fructose content. This can be confusing because fruit is widely considered healthy. However, research has shown that fructose can lead to metabolic syndrome.
Connections to fatty liver and obesity
Fructose, which is metabolized solely by the liver, can overload it despite having a low glycemic index. This can lead to reduced satiety by lessening the suppression of ghrelin, spiking cortisol, reducing insulin sensitivity, and contributing to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
While fruit is generally considered healthy, fruit juice poses a hidden risk due to its high fructose content and lack of natural fiber, which helps regulate sugar absorption. Although fruit juice provides vitamin C, the absence of fiber causes the body to absorb fructose more rapidly, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity (especially in children), and NAFLD. Even without weight gain, regular consumption of fruit juice can lead to these health issues.
Many people unknowingly add large amounts of fruit, coconut water, or fruit juices to their morning smoothies, resulting in sugar and fructose levels comparable to sodas. Continuous glucose monitoring often reveals significant blood sugar spikes from these smoothies, sometimes even higher than those caused by drinking a bottle of Coca-Cola.
Fruit juice like apple juice has a sugar content similar to that of soft drinks, with a substantial amount of fructose. Similarly, dried fruit is high in sugar and fructose, and much of its beneficial content is lost during drying, making it less healthy and not recommended.
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ACCELERATE CARE 🏎️
Avoid fruit juices, even if organic, and choose whole fruits instead. Be aware that fruit juices can spike your glucose levels. Consider using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) from your local pharmacy to track which fruits cause the most significant spikes.
Kiwi is low in fructose and high in vitamin C, but it contains oxalates, so those prone to kidney stones should avoid it.
Berries like strawberries and blueberries are rich in flavonols, which help counteract the effects of fructose.
Self-Care 👀
Did you know that liver fat is visible on an ultrasound scan?
Sources
A Root Cause For Weight Gain, Diabetes & Alzheimer's Nobody Talks About | Dr. Richard Johnson
You May Never Eat Fruit Again after Watching This