Eat sugar with no weight gain

SOME people may carry a gene that means no matter how much sugar they eat, they never put on weight.

Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that DNA variations change how sugar is absorbed. In some, it heads to the intestine and is then excreted, rather than being absorbed into the blood. Unfortunately, this mutation is thought to be limited to just two to three per cent of Greenlanders, who are likely to have evolved the gene due to their low-sugar, high-meat and fish diet.

Professor Anders Albrechtsen said: ‘Adult Greenlanders with the variation have lower BMI, weight, fat percentage and cholesterol levels.’

It is hoped the scientists’ findings will lead to a drug that balances sugar absorption, preventing obesity and heart disease.