UCSF Study: Added Sugar Making Us Sick, But Effects Could Be Reduced In Days

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The added sugar in the average American diet isn't just making us fat, it's making us sick, according to new research out of UCSF.  But, the negative effects of sugar may be reduced in just a few days by cutting it from your diet.

A recent study, published in the journal Obesity showed that reductions in blood pressure, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol could be noted after just nine days on a diet without added sugars.

"For the next nine days, each child ate an individual tailored diet. We catered their meals to provide the same number of calories and protein and fat content as their usual home diet," UCSF Professor of Pediatrics Robert Lustig wrote in The Conversation.

After nine days on the diet, the subjects hadn't lost any weight, but "every aspect of their metabolic health improved."

Lustig asserts that all calories are not equal and -- much like alcohol -- sugar can "fry your liver."

He also says further study is required to know if the same results can be achieved with adults.