High excess-free-fructose beverage consumption is not associated with prevalent allergy in US adults: a population-based analysis of NHANES 2005–2006

Background A strong association exists between high-excess free fructose (EFF) beverage consumption and prevalent allergy in children and adolescents; however, whether this association exists in the adult population is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between high-EFF beverage intake and prevalent allergy. Methods This cross-sectional study extracted data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Adults aged [greater than or equal to] 20 were eligible for inclusion, excluding those without complete information on beverage intake, allergic symptom survey, and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E test results. A total of 2077 adults were included. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses determined the associations between high-EFF beverage consumption, prevalent allergic symptoms, and allergic sensitization. Results After adjusting for confounders, there were no significant associations between high intake (vs. low) of sum of high-EFF beverage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77, 1.57), apple juice (aOR = 0.95, 95% 0.55, 1.65), fruit drinks (aOR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.70, 1.29), soft drinks (aOR = 1.17, 95%CI 0.89, 1.55) and presence of allergic sensitization, or allergic symptoms. Stratified analyses also revealed no associations between high intake of high-EFF beverage in sum, presence of allergic symptoms or sensitization among individuals aged 20-39y, 40-59y, and [greater than or equal to] 60y. Conclusions Our findings indicate no independent association between frequent intake of high-EFF beverage and increased likelihood of allergy in US adults. Keywords: Allergic sensitization, Allergic symptoms, High excess-free-fructose (EFF) beverage, High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)