For normal-weight women, eating meals sweetened with fructose (like in soda) might raise blood fat levels more than those sweetened with regular sugar, which could lead to heart risks over time—even if they're otherwise healthy.

What we've found so far is that the evidence leans toward fructose-sweetened foods raising triglycerides more than glucose-sweetened foods in normal-weight women. Our analysis of the available research suggests this pattern, though we’re still building our understanding. We looked at 59 studies or assertions that support the idea that, for normal-weight women, eating meals with fructose — a type of sugar found in soda and many processed foods — may increase blood fat levels more than eating meals with glucose [1]. These blood fats, called triglycerides, are one marker linked to heart health. Even in women who are not overweight and otherwise healthy, this effect might exist. No studies in our review refuted this idea. Still, we’re cautious about drawing firm conclusions. The evidence we’ve reviewed doesn’t let us say how large this effect is, how long it lasts, or whether it directly leads to heart disease. We also don’t know if the source of fructose matters — for example, fruit versus soda — based on what we’ve seen so far. Our current analysis shows a consistent direction in the data: fructose may have a stronger impact on triglycerides than glucose in this group. But we emphasize that this is a partial picture. We don’t yet have enough evidence to say for sure how much it matters in daily life or over the long term. Practical takeaway: If you're a normal-weight woman concerned about your heart health, the evidence we’ve reviewed suggests it might be worth paying attention to how much added fructose you consume, especially from sugary drinks. But we don’t have enough to say you must avoid it completely.