How the body processes fructose after meals
Official title: Extra-hepatic postprandial metabolism of dietary fructose
Funded at Touro University of California · NIH-11018531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your body processes fructose, especially how it affects areas beyond the liver, and it's for people interested in understanding how eating foods with fructose might impact their heart health and diabetes risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Touro University of California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Vallejo, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $288,486 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132064-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who are pre-diabetic or have risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume fructose or have no metabolic disorders related to sugar intake may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the body metabolizes fructose, particularly focusing on its effects outside the liver, which has traditionally been seen as the main organ for processing this sugar. By examining the role of the small intestine and how it converts fructose into fat, the study aims to understand the impact of fructose on lipid profiles that are linked to conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Participants will consume meals with varying fructose levels, allowing researchers to analyze the resulting metabolic changes and the composition of specific proteins involved in fat transport.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease by targeting fructose metabolism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding fructose metabolism, but this specific focus on non-hepatic tissues is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Touro University of California
Vallejo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Grace Marie — Touro University of California
- Study coordinator: Jones, Grace Marie
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Investigating the effects of fructose on diabetes and metabolism
This study is looking at how eating fructose, a type of sugar found in many foods, affects blood sugar and fat production, especially for people with type 2 diabetes, to help create better dietary advice for managing their health.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.