Effects of a sucrose-free diet on the serum-lipid levels of men in Antarctica

Eighteen healthy young men on an Antarctic base were observed for 10 months. For a baseline period of 4 weeks they received a normal diet, then they were put on an isocaloric, virtually sucrose-free diet for a period of 14 weeks, and this was followed by a further period of 24 weeks on the normal diet. They took all their meals together, and the diet was found generally acceptable. Estimations were made, on fasting serum samples, of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and phospholipid levels. In those men with higher triglyceride levels on the normal diet (>120 mg. per 100 ml.) there was a significant fall in triglyceride levels during the sucrose-free period, whilst there was no significant change in triglyceride levels in the men with lower triglyceride levels (<120 mg. per 100 ml.). Smaller changes occurred in total cholesterol and phospholipid levels. Such weight changes as occurred were not significant and did not correlate with changes in lipid levels.