Anchor: A new study finds that consuming sugar from fruit during one's youth can lower the risk of obesity. This is the latest in a series of findings recently proving that sugars from fruit and milk are not connected to obesity.
Our Park Jong-hong has more.
 
Report: Children consuming fructose, or sugar from fruit, have been found to be less likely to become obese.

A joint team of researchers at Seoul Paik Hospital and Ewha Womans' University surveyed some 600 elementary school students over the past four years.

In stark contrast, those who consumed their sugar fix from candies, chocolate and other processed foods were nearly three times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome refers to the condition where obesity, high blood sugar and high blood pressure kick in simultaneously.

Researchers analyzed that fructose works together with fiber and vitamins and can help prevent obesity.

A similar study on some two-thousand-500 children by a team at the Catholic University of Korea also found that girls who consumed sugar from fruit halved the risk of becoming overweight or obese compared to those who didn’t.

The team said contrary to the widespread belief that a higher consumption of fruit makes people fat, only sugar additives found in processed foods like soda, cookies and ice cream are connected to obesity.

The two studies are published in the latest edition of the international journal, Nutrients.
Park Jong-hong, KBS World Radio News.