Affecting approximately 1 in every 3 people in the U.S., metabolic syndrome is also known as insulin resistance syndrome, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Those diagnosed with metabolic syndrome have at least three out of five specified health conditions associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. These conditions include hypertension, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, low levels of “good” cholesterol, and abdominal obesity.
While the findings of the rodent study relate to general sugar intake, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst took a closer look at the nutritional value of various fruit snacks in a 2024 study published in the scientific journal Nutrients. The study team examined the nutrient profile of nearly 1,500 fruit snacks and categorized them as either dried fruit, dried flavored fruit, fruit puree, canned fruit, canned fruit with juice, fruit chips, fruit-based bars, formed fruit, or fruit-flavored snacks. Here’s what they found.