Researchers at UC, Davis have found that fructose, a common soft drink ingredient, may be linked to obesity.

The researchers measured the levels of insulin and leptin in women who consumed a meal with a fructose sweetened beverage or a glucose sweetened beverage, and found that the fructose was associated with decreased hormone levels, and there was an long-lasting increase in triglycerides as well.

(T)his pattern of hormonal responses is similar to that observed after consuming a high-fat meal, and continues, “Based on our previously published work, this metabolic profile resembles that of fat consumption. Thus, despite the fact that fructose is a sugar, metabolically the responses are similar to those seen following fat ingestion.”

The article also notes that the rate of fructose use is also similar to the rate at which obesity has risen in the US.

Personally, I decided a couple of years ago that when going out to eat, if I was going to get empty calories, I’d rather have water with dinner and then get dessert afterwards. But that could just be me. (But if I’m not going to have dessert, I sometimes will splurge and get soda.) At home, I have milk with dinner, so it’s moot point.