MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Struggling To Pack On Muscle? This May Be Why

Struggling To Pack On Muscle? This May Be Why

Tyson Fury Has Overhauled His Diet Ahead Of Rematch With Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury Has Overhauled His Diet Ahead Of Rematch With Deontay Wilder

How The Fat Jewish, Josh Ostrovsky, Lost 25kg In 7 Months

How The Fat Jewish, Josh Ostrovsky, Lost 25kg In 7 Months

The 10:14 Diet Is The Latest Fad That Could Help You Drop Kilos Fast

The 10:14 Diet Is The Latest Fad That Could Help You Drop Kilos Fast

{headline}

{headline}

Andy Ruiz Jr's Nutritionist Shares The Diet Plan Behind His Weight Loss

Andy Ruiz Jr's Nutritionist Shares The Diet Plan Behind His Weight Loss

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

Kevin Smith Shares How He Lost 22Kg After A Heart Attack

Kevin Smith Shares How He Lost 22Kg After A Heart Attack

{headline}

{headline}

Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Than A Passing Fad

Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Than A Passing Fad

How Your Diet Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health

How Your Diet Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health

Diets Can Be Tailored Using Blood Tests, Personalised Nutrition Advocates Say

Diets Can Be Tailored Using Blood Tests, Personalised Nutrition Advocates Say

What's More Important For Weight Loss: Diet Or Exercise?

What's More Important For Weight Loss: Diet Or Exercise?

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

Is Soy Sauce Bad For You?

Is Soy Sauce Bad For You?

3 Testosterone Slayers You Need To Get On Top Of ASAP

3 Testosterone Slayers You Need To Get On Top Of ASAP

  1. Home
  2. News

Experts Say This Type Of Sugar Can Actually Prevent Weight Gain

Sweet tooths, you're in luck - by Lucy Bode
  • 20 Sep 2018
Experts Say This Type Of Sugar Can Actually Prevent Weight Gain
Getty Images

For the past 10 years we’ve had it drummed into us that sugar is bad for the body. Period. But to the delight of sweet tooths everywhere (*raises hand*) there may actually be an exception to this rule.

Unlike the highly refined stuff that comes in a tiny packet alongside a takeaway coffee, mannose is a type of natural sugar found in fruits like cranberries. And experts believe it could be the key to shifting stubborn stomach fat.

Professor Hudson Freeze - director of the Human Genetics Program at the Sandford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute – and his team allocated 3 and 8-week-old mice to each of the following groups at random:

  • Those fed a high-fat, mannose-free diet
  • Those fed a high-fat diet with mannose
  • Those fed a normal, mannose-free diet
  • Those fed a normal diet with mannose

They then analysed the gut microbiota of the mice, taking note of their body weight, fat and blood sugar levels as well as their overall fitness.

The results? The rodents who were fed a high-fat diet that included mannose had less fatty livers, higher fitness levels, more tolerance to glucose and were generally leaner than those who ate the same diet but without mannose. This group were also found to have “higher fecal energy content” and were able to process carbohydrates less efficiently – meaning they absorbed fewer calories.

But the juiciest finding was yet to come.

Youtube GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

When the researchers analysed the gut microbiome from the same group of mice for a second time (after removing the mannose from their diet,) they noticed two key things: Their bacterial composition mirrored that of obese rodents and they had regained all the weight they lost.

Comedy Bang Bang Wow GIF by IFC - Find & Share on GIPHY

Sure, this study has its limitations (mainly, that it doesn’t involve humans). Still, it’s hoped that the findings can lead to good things for the ever-growing obesity epidemic.

“These findings further confirm the important role of the gut microbiome in metabolism,” Professor Freeze explained. “The microbiome partially explains the beneficial effects of mannose, but how exactly it affects the body’s metabolism remains a mystery.”

“Obesity and related diseases, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are on the rise – and scientists are on the hunt for new treatments, particularly for individuals who are unable to exercise,” he added.”

“Better understanding of mannose’s effects on the gut microbiome may lead to new therapies for treating obesity.”

This article originally appeared on Women's Health.

  • News
  • Nutrition
  • Diet Plans
Lucy Bode
Lucy Bode
Lucy is WH’s Digital Editor, Features Writer, social media guru and resident woo. A long black lover and foodie at heart, she considers peanut butter an hourly staple and believes chardonnay is the superior drop. When she's not at the beach, barre or yoga studio you'll find her coming up with new and improved ways to kill her unkillable houseplants

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Struggling To Pack On Muscle? This May Be Why

Struggling To Pack On Muscle? This May Be Why

Tyson Fury Has Overhauled His Diet Ahead Of Rematch With Deontay Wilder

Tyson Fury Has Overhauled His Diet Ahead Of Rematch With Deontay Wilder

How The Fat Jewish, Josh Ostrovsky, Lost 25kg In 7 Months

How The Fat Jewish, Josh Ostrovsky, Lost 25kg In 7 Months

The 10:14 Diet Is The Latest Fad That Could Help You Drop Kilos Fast

The 10:14 Diet Is The Latest Fad That Could Help You Drop Kilos Fast

{headline}

{headline}

Andy Ruiz Jr's Nutritionist Shares The Diet Plan Behind His Weight Loss

Andy Ruiz Jr's Nutritionist Shares The Diet Plan Behind His Weight Loss

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

Kevin Smith Shares How He Lost 22Kg After A Heart Attack

Kevin Smith Shares How He Lost 22Kg After A Heart Attack

{headline}

{headline}

Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Than A Passing Fad

Why Intermittent Fasting Is More Than A Passing Fad

How Your Diet Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health

How Your Diet Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health

Diets Can Be Tailored Using Blood Tests, Personalised Nutrition Advocates Say

Diets Can Be Tailored Using Blood Tests, Personalised Nutrition Advocates Say

What's More Important For Weight Loss: Diet Or Exercise?

What's More Important For Weight Loss: Diet Or Exercise?

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

This Is the Best Diet For Weight Loss, According To Doctors

Is Soy Sauce Bad For You?

Is Soy Sauce Bad For You?

3 Testosterone Slayers You Need To Get On Top Of ASAP

3 Testosterone Slayers You Need To Get On Top Of ASAP

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now