Certain cancer cells actually feed on the common food sweetener, fructose, according to a new study from the University of California Los Angeles.

The research team grew pancreatic cancer cells in a lab dish and then fed them fructose and other sugars. The fructose caused the cancer cells to multiply.

"These findings show that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation," Dr. Anthony Heaney of UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center and colleagues wrote.

"They have major significance for cancer patients given dietary refined fructose consumption and indicate that efforts to reduce refined fructose intake or inhibit fructose-mediated actions may disrupt cancer growth," he added.

The findings are significant for establishing a diet for cancer patients.

Fructose is often mixed with glucose and listed in foods as high fructose corn syrup and it's found in items like soft drinks and bread.