Fructose

What is fructose?

Fructose (fruit sugar) is a so-called simple sugar, just like glucose (grape sugar) Carbohydrates. Fructose and glucose are the two components of common household sugar.

Where does fructose occur?

Naturally, fructose comes in mostly Fruits in front. These include pome fruit such as apples and pears, berries and exotic fruits. Also honey and some Vegetablessuch as carrots contain fructose. Since fructose is twice as sweet as glucose, it is widely used by the food industry to sweeten finished products. For example, it comes in the form of glucose-fructose syrup confectionery, canned goods and Jams in front.

Fructose in the human organism

The fructose, just like the grape sugar, from intestines absorbed into the blood of man and from there transported to the various organs. The uptake of fructose is, however, much slower than that of glucose. The liver makes fructose Glucose and ultimately also this in the body as Depot fat saved if it is not used immediately.

The human body can also produce fructose from glucose itself. For example, fructose is used in the seminal vesicle in men as a nutrient for the adolescents Sperm needed.

If fructose is consumed in very large quantities, for example through many sweets, this can overwhelm the organism and lead to complaints. The body cannot absorb all of the fructose from the intestines, so a large part of it remains there. In the colon serves the fructose many bacteria as foodso that they can reproduce excellently. Since bacteria produce gases and acids, humans can Flatulence, diarrhea and a stomach ache develop.

There is also a relationship between the amount of fructose consumed and Obesitybecause fructose is converted to body fat faster than glucose. For this reason, other diseases that are associated with obesity are also favored by high fructose consumption. These include, for example, a Fatty liver, Diabetes mellitus and Cardiovascular diseases. These diseases can be improved through an adapted diet.

However, the harmful effects of fructose on the body relate only to an above-average consumption. Even so, fruits and vegetables are healthy and necessary for the body. An excessive amount of fructose ingested is mainly due to the fear sugar, which is used to sweeten the finished products.

Fructose intolerance

The Fructose intolerance may be innate (hereditary fructose intolerance) or acquired in the course of life. Both types have different causes.

In the congenital fructose intolerance the fructose can be absorbed normally from the intestine, they however, cannot be broken down by the liver. This causes the fructose to build up in the blood, which reduces the amount of glucose in the blood. However, since glucose is used by all cells in the body to generate energy, this situation can result in drowsiness if the brain can no longer be adequately supplied. The congenital fructose intolerance leads to vomiting, diarrhea and developmental disorders in infants.

In the acquired fructose intolerance, also intestinal Called fructose intolerance, the fructose cannot or not completely be absorbed from the intestine. This type of fructose intolerance comes up a great deal more often before than the innate. Those affected can often consume certain amounts of fructose free of symptoms. If this limit is exceeded, it happens after consuming fructose food or drinks stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and Flatulence. This is because the fructose remaining in the intestines is processed by the intestinal bacteria and these produce gases that lead to flatulence. In addition, fructose draws water into the intestines, making the stool more fluid and causing diarrhea.

If there is a fructose intolerance, so foods containing fructose should be avoided or their consumption restricted. Since the tolerance limit differs from person to person, it has to be found out by trial and error how much fructose the body can tolerate.

Fructose allergy

In contrast to fructose intolerance, in which the absorption or processing of fructose is disturbed, an allergy leads to a excessive response of the immune system. In response to ingestion of fructose, the body produces antibody. This allergy can manifest itself for example Rashes or other physical symptoms, like diarrhea, stomach pain or Flatulence to make noticable.

Fructose malabsorption

At a Fructose malabsorption is the Uptake of fructose from the intestine is disturbed. It is also called intestinal fructose intolerance designated. This intake disorder can be triggered, among other things, by a permanently increased fructose intake. In some cases the fructose malabsorption is only temporary. Many people in Germany suffer from fructose malabsorption and the increasing use of fructose for finished products means that the trend is increasing.

Due to the disturbed absorption of the fructose it remains in the intestine and serves the bacteria there as a source of nutrients. Since bacteria produce gases, this leads to Flatulence. In addition, the fructose draws water into the intestines, which leads to thinning stools and diarrhea.