Due to the numerous vitamins they contain and their natural fructose content, fresh fruit and vegetables are generally considered to be very healthy foods that should be consumed daily. But the fructose contained in it naturally does not have a completely impeccable reputation these days. This applies even more to ready-made foods and beverages to which fructose is added in the form of artificial sweeteners. Although fructose is generally metabolized and used for energy by the human body, ingesting large amounts of this sugar can cause serious health problems. But how do you recognize an excess of fructose or an intolerance What can you still eat if you are fructose intolerant? possibly suffer from fructose intolerance and which foods should not be consumed in large quantities in this case.n.
Did you know Even hyaluronic acid is a sugar compound. One gram of the anti-aging active ingredient number one can bind an impressive three liters of moisture!!
In certain applications, such as peeling, the fine crystals are visible and palpable in contrast to salt, namely, sugar has a rather round shape without sharp edges and therefore removes dead skin more gently..
THAT DOES FRUCTOSE
- Fructose is found in many foods
- In cosmetics, fructose is effective against redness and stress on the skin.
- When absorbed through the stomach, fructose can have undesirable side effects.
Overview:
What is fructose?
How is fructose metabolized in the body?
How do you recognize fructose intolerance?
What not to eat if you are fructose intolerant?
Conclusion
What is fructose?
Fructose, tooFructose written, is chemically a monosaccharide, i.e. a simple sugar, which is one of the carbohydrates. Since the molecule of this sugar contains 6 carbon atoms, it is assigned to the group of hexose. The fructose is a water-soluble, colorless and odorless crystalline substance that has a sweetish taste. The designationFructose for fructose goes back to William Allen Miller, who named carbohydrates on fruits in the 19th century.
In nature, fructose occurs mainly in pome fruit, berries and some vegetables. For the production of artificial sweeteners, fructose is obtained industrially from vegetable starches. A popular method is, for example, to make corn syrup from corn starch with the help of amylase, which in turn with glucose isomerase to the so-calledHigh fructose corn syrup (HFCS is processed, the dry matter consists of about half each of fructose and glucose. In the USA in particular, corn syrup has become a popular sweetener for beverages and diet foods..
In the meantime, however, many scientists and authorities advise against using artificially produced substances with a high fructose content as sweeteners in diet products, as this can even promote problems such as obesity and high blood pressure. In Europe, more than a third of the population is now considered to be fructose intolerant, which means that foods with a high fructose content, whether natural or artificial, are generally difficult to tolerate and can only be consumed in small quantities. In the case of such intolerance, the consumption of large amounts of fructose-containing food can lead to considerable damage to physical and mental health.
How is fructose metabolized in the body?
Fructose can enter the body either as a natural component of food or as a disaccharide sucrose, which is broken down into fructose and glucose. It is absorbed by the liver and metabolized using the following steps:
- Fructokinase reaction: The fructose is phosphorylated to fructose-1-phosphate by the enzyme ketohexokinase
- Aldolase-B reaction: The fructose-1-phosphate is split by the aldolase-B into glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate
- Glyceraldehyde kinase reaction: The glyceraldehyde is phosphorylated to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate by the glyceraldehyde kinase
- Triosephosphate isomerase reaction: The dihydroxyacetone phosphate is isomerized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate by the reaction with triose phosphate isomerase.
- Dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate are introduced into glycolysis and used to generate energy.
Both fructose and glucose are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Due to the passive transport of fructose by special proteins such as GLUT2 and GLUT5, fructose is absorbed more slowly in the small intestine than glucose. If there is a high fructose intake and a lack of exercise, fructose is converted into glucose and fatty acids, i.e. ultimately also into fat, and released into the bloodstream to maintain the blood sugar level.
How do you recognize fructose intolerance?
Basically, fruit, which typically contains fructose, is very healthy for most people and can contribute to a fit body and a beautiful complexion. Sayings like apple a day keeps the doctor away motivate people to consume fresh fruit every day and rightly so. The numerous vitamins and other nutrients found in fruits can boost the immune system and protect consumers from disease. However, some caution is advised when consuming large amounts of fruit, because not everyone can tolerate the fructose it contains to such a high degree. In Germany and Central Europe, the number of those affected who suffer from fructose intolerance is estimated to be over a third of the entire population.t.
The consumption of large amounts of fruit, vegetables and various artificial sweeteners can cause a variety of complaints in people who are fructose intolerant. It is a metabolic disease, which in many people affected is mainly noticeable in the form of abdominal pain and digestive problems. Hair loss and skin diseases as well as physical weakness and various psychological problems can be caused or worsened by fructose intolerance, which is sometimes due to the fact that this metabolic disorder often results in a mineral deficiency. The symptoms listed in the following table are typical symptoms of fructose intolerance:
Digestive organs discomfort |
Feeling of fullness, abdominal cramps, upper abdominal pain, bowel noises, belching, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, increased bowel movements and the need to urinate |
Hair and skin problems |
blemished skin, inflammatory skin diseases, poorly healing wounds, torn corners of the mouth, hair loss |
Effects on nerves and psyche |
Internal tension, nervousness, irritability, sleep disorders, tiredness, depressive moods, concentration disorders |
Problems in children |
Growth retardation, learning difficulties |
Other complaints |
Headache, body aches, belly fat, obesity, gout, high blood pressure, difficult breathing, bad breath, fertility problems, iron or zinc deficiency |
Since the symptoms are very different and the respective tolerance limit, from when symptoms occur at all, is absolutely individual, the cause of the problem is not always immediately recognized. If the fructose intolerance leads to a mineral deficiency, for example, this deficiency is recognized in many cases and the respective nutrient is supplemented accordingly, but the actual problem is not recognized, let alone eliminated. Of course, suffering from one of the symptoms mentioned above does not automatically mean that you are affected by fructose intolerance. However, if a large number of the listed complaints occur together, it could be worthwhile to carry out a corresponding test with a doctor. To diagnose fructose intolerance, the so-calledH2 breath test used, which measures the patient's exhaled methane and hydrogen gases, which are produced during the fermentation of fruits. Too high a result suggests that the tested body cannot properly digest the amount of fruit consumed.
What not to eat if you are fructose intolerant?
As the name suggests, fructose is found in fruits. In addition to some types of fruit, foods that are high in fructose also include various berries, vegetables, and even cereals. Of course, this also applies to fruit juices, sweet wines and various processed foods such as sweets, jams, honey and various sauces. You should also be careful with sugar-free chewing gum, diet drinks and ready-made meals, as artificial sweeteners are often added, which consist of high fructose proportions. Consumption of large amounts of such foods and drinks can cause serious health problems for people with fructose intolerance.
The following table lists the foods that should typically be avoided or at least reduced in the case of fructose intolerance:
fruit |
Apple, pear, cherry, orange, peach, pineapple, melon, mango, papaya, guava, litchi, grape also raisin, plum, date, fige |
Berry |
Blueberries, raspberries |
vegetables |
Tomato, zucchini, beans, broccoli, chicory, onion, leek, asparagus, artichoke |
beverages |
Juice with a high fruit content, syrup, dessert wine, port wine, sherry, lemonade with a high content of sucrose |
Sauces |
Barbecue sauce, sweet and sour sauce, chutney, tomato paste, plum sauce |
Spread |
Honey, maple syrup, jam |
Others |
Bread, pasta, muesli bars, beer, sugar-free sweets and diet drinks with sorbitol E420 or xylitol E967967) |
Depending on the severity of the fructose intolerance, the consumption of these foods usually only causes damage in larger quantities, so they can still be consumed to a limited extent. In case of doubt, it is best to clarify your individual case with a doctor or nutritionist with appropriate expertise in this area. Some types of fruit and vegetables, which you can see in the table below, are generally considered to be relatively well tolerated by fructose-intolerant people, as the fructose content is relatively low:
fruit |
Banana, tangerine, lemon, grapefruit |
Berry |
Red currant |
vegetables |
Potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, cucumber, corn, eggplant, fennel, spinach, Brussels sprouts, sauerkraut |
Conclusion
The question of whether fructose is good or bad cannot be answered across the boardYes orNo answer. Basically, fructose fulfills useful purposes and it is contained in many different foods that basically have important health-promoting properties. Naturally, this means that a balanced diet cannot easily be designed while avoiding the intake of fructose altogether. On the other hand, the intake of fructose above a certain amount carries an enormous risk for some people and can lead to serious problems for the digestive system, nerves and psyche, skin and hair as well as for fertility and child development, as not every human being Body can process fructose to the same extent. Unfortunately, there is no specific recommendation for the dose in which fructose may or should be consumed. A good way to find out whether you are consuming too much fructose is to familiarize yourself with the various symptoms of illness that indicate an intolerance.In the form of surfactants, sugar is particularly mild and is now known for this good job: Sugar surfactants are well tolerated and biodegradable. They are used in many shower gels and shampoos. Certain sugar surfactants even set the hair in place. In styling products they replace plastic polymers that give hold. The gentle cleaners can also be used as emulsifiers to combine water and oil to form a smooth lotion.