Fructose consumption seems to decrease hormones that control food intake.

Researchers found that normal weight women who consumed fructose-sweetened beverages lowered their 24-hour insulin and leptin levels as well as increased the post-meal triglyceride levels as compared to glucose-sweetened beverages. The hormones insulin and leptin help control satiety levels, and the authors suggested that high fructose intakes might lead to obesity.

PositiveTip: Most soft drinks and many sweet desserts are high in fructose, and would best be avoided.

Women who drank 2 or more sodas per day had a 240% increased risk of gout.

Women drinking an average of one fructose-rich drink per day had a 74% greater risk of gout when compared to those who drank less than 1 non-diet soda per month. Researchers studied nearly 80,000 women for over 22 years and found a strong association between sweetened soft-drink and orange juice consumption and gout. Today, consumption of fructose-rich beverages in the U.S. is at an all-time high.

PositiveTip: Avoid the sweetened sodas and large amounts of fruit juice. Drink water and eat the fruit for better health.