October 2018 PMID 29225114

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity.

James J DiNicolantonio, Varshil Mehta, Neema Onkaramurthy, James H O'Keefe

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Mentions

Peak: 5 in Apr 2020

across 6 sources since May 2017

Extended reach

510,248

potential audience

Total likes

175

Video views

7,644

Mentions per month

May 2017 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

News30 articles
X / Twitter23 posts
Facebook9 posts
YouTube2 videos
Reddit2 posts
Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions demonstrate significant interest and moderate engagement, referencing the publication to emphasize how fructose triggers inflammation and visceral fat formation, with posts describing sugar as 'pro-inflammatory' and connecting cortisol to fat accumulation, highlighting both support and critical perspectives on the research's implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that fructose contributes to inflammation and fat accumulation, citing the publication to back claims about sugar's harmful effects.

InterestHigh interest

The social discussions show high interest, with many posts referencing the publication directly and engaging with its implications on health and diet.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts reflect active engagement by discussing mechanisms like cortisol's role, sharing personal opinions, and referencing related research, indicating thoughtful participation.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations seem to recognize the publication's potential to influence understanding of obesity and metabolic health, though direct behavioral changes aren't explicitly detailed.

Abstract in brief

The text introduces a new idea that eating too much fructose (a type of sugar) causes inflammation in cells that metabolize it, which then increases cortisol inside cells. This increase in cortisol promotes fat storage, particularly around organs (visceral fat), and can lead to conditions like fatty liver.
Unlike traditional theories that focus on calorie imbalance or insulin resistance from all sugars, this mechanism explains why specific fat deposits form in organ areas and how fructose uniquely contributes to visceral adiposity and metabolic issues.
The paper suggests that fructose not only causes inflammation and fat buildup inside the body but also stimulates cortisol release in the brain, which further promotes sugar production in the liver and worsens insulin resistance, leading to overall body fat gain.

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Understanding the TOFI Phenotype and Fructose's Role in Visceral Fat Formation

This video introduces the TOFI phenotype and explores how fructose induces inflammation and cortisol increase, promoting visceral fat storage and metabolic issues. It highlights the unique impact of fructose on organ…

Low Carb Don’t Eat · Jun 10, 2020 4,205 views

Fructose-Induced Inflammation and Visceral Fat Development Mechanisms

Eating excess fructose causes cell inflammation and increases cortisol, promoting fat storage around organs and contributing to metabolic issues like fatty liver, through a unique mechanism separate from calorie balance…

דיאטה לחיטוב הגוף Diet2All קובי עזרא · May 1, 2017 3,440 views

Henry

@heniuro · X

@NutrivoreC "Dietary carbs are directly antagonizing the effects of stress" Except when they do just the opposite. https://t.co/9KMvXTzyDM

Jul 16, 2025 · 716 followers View post →

James DiNicolantonio

@drjamesdinic · X

@SubatomicHealth Well that’s driven by things like refined sugars causing elevated cortisol and aldosterone causing sodium retention. Don’t blame salt for what the sugar did. https://t.co/ey5hCKioKf

Apr 4, 2025 · 208,246 followers View post →

DrRPalmquist

@DrPalmquist · X

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity https://t.co/WJtAdjMGmx

Apr 20, 2024 · 3,167 followers View post →

gf2112

@PatsFan211 · X

@celestialbe1ng Keep drinking the juice and be unhealthy. Fructose (main sugar in juices and fruits) is pro inflammatory and leads to visceral fat formation https://t.co/DhRidu8avq

Apr 6, 2024 · 3 followers View post →

Matilde Cañelles

@CanellesMatilde · X

@GustavoRocs https://t.co/9mdupFexQe

Oct 11, 2023 · 1 like · 7,880 followers View post →

Matilde Cañelles

@CanellesMatilde · X

@fjrascon https://t.co/9mdupFexQe.

Oct 10, 2023 · 7,880 followers View post →

VaniTy

@JustVNTY · X

Aug 16, 2023 · 1 like · 28,159 followers View post →

Tracy

@xxtracy09xx · X

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity https://t.co/6WPqMLLZTd

Aug 30, 2022 · 1,212 followers View post →

DrRPalmquist

@DrPalmquist · X

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity - PubMed https://t.co/WJtAdk3Jox

Aug 20, 2022 · 1 like · 3,167 followers View post →

Luis Grz

@Lscgrz · X

RT @Kristennetten: Europeans don’t show signs of stress fat. Back fat & belly fat are hardly there. https://t.co/i2Bc4a0RP1

Jul 14, 2022 · 3 shares · 330 followers View post →

Corey

@CoreyBaldwin18 · X

RT @Kristennetten: Europeans don’t show signs of stress fat. Back fat & belly fat are hardly there. https://t.co/i2Bc4a0RP1

Jul 14, 2022 · 3 shares · 119 followers View post →

S/Chef_Ape_DD

@chef_master_d · X

RT @Kristennetten: Europeans don’t show signs of stress fat. Back fat & belly fat are hardly there. https://t.co/i2Bc4a0RP1

Jul 14, 2022 · 3 shares · 2,994 followers View post →

K10✨

@Kristennetten · X

Europeans don’t show signs of stress fat. Back fat & belly fat are hardly there. https://t.co/i2Bc4a0RP1

Jul 14, 2022 · 31 likes · 3 shares · 191,130 followers View post →

FOIfringed

@battosai24601 · X

RT @DrPalmquist: Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity - PubMed ht…

Jun 11, 2022 · 1 share · 177 followers View post →

DrRPalmquist

@DrPalmquist · X

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity - PubMed https://t.co/WJtAdk3Jox

Jun 11, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,167 followers View post →

Eve Beavers is espacetimeCO & espacetimeNOT

@espacetimeCO · X

RT @ChrisSylvain: @TyRBeal @davidludwigmd @AJCNutrition @Dmozaffarian There is no precedent for underreporting based upon BMI increases at…

Apr 27, 2022 · 1 share · 911 followers View post →

Christopher Sylvain

@ChrisSylvain · X

@TyRBeal @davidludwigmd @AJCNutrition @Dmozaffarian There is no precedent for underreporting based upon BMI increases at that absurd level (almost double). Fructose, refined carbs are known drivers of visceral fat/low grade inflammation shifting the body to an obesogenic internal environment. https://t.co/9ZlK9xsFEb

Apr 23, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 591 followers View post →

AndNope

@nopenotanymo · X

@FoodFirst_Ty However, there is something to say about #cortisol and #adiposity #MedTwitter Citation for pondering

Jul 9, 2020 · 1 like · 4,604 followers View post →

Nattha Saravutanukul

@n3nnnnn · X

RT @DrPalmquist: Fructose-induced Inflammation and Increased Cortisol: A New Mechanism for How Sugar Induces Visceral Adiposity - PubMed ht…

Apr 3, 2020 · 4 shares · 367 followers View post →

JoaquimLamora

@JoaquimLamora · X

RT @DrPalmquist: Fructose-induced Inflammation and Increased Cortisol: A New Mechanism for How Sugar Induces Visceral Adiposity - PubMed ht…

Apr 2, 2020 · 4 shares · 1,133 followers View post →

Pau Oller

@PauOller · X

RT @DrPalmquist: Fructose-induced Inflammation and Increased Cortisol: A New Mechanism for How Sugar Induces Visceral Adiposity - PubMed ht…

Apr 2, 2020 · 4 shares · 7,401 followers View post →

J P Fanton

@HealthyFellow · X

RT @DrPalmquist: Fructose-induced Inflammation and Increased Cortisol: A New Mechanism for How Sugar Induces Visceral Adiposity - PubMed ht…

Apr 2, 2020 · 4 shares · 26,012 followers View post →

DrRPalmquist

@DrPalmquist · X

Fructose-induced Inflammation and Increased Cortisol: A New Mechanism for How Sugar Induces Visceral Adiposity - PubMed https://t.co/FWGEEiYVWK

Apr 1, 2020 · 7 likes · 4 shares · 3,167 followers View post →

Fructose-induced inflammation and increased cortisol: A new mechanism for how sugar induces visceral adiposity.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Understanding the TOFI Phenotype and Fructose's Role in Visceral Fat Formation

Fructose-Induced Inflammation and Visceral Fat Development Mechanisms