Fructose is a natural sweetener. Some studies show that consuming foods with high fructose capacity can lead to diabetes and weight gain in humans.
Studies of other experts argue that a high percentage of fructose does not cause more harm than other sweeteners. Consuming too much sugar and too much refined carbohydrates, in any form, can achieve the same result - unstable blood sugar levels, low energy levels and additional body fat.
Advantages of fructose
Honey, fruits and vegetables contain fructose. All of them are a good source of energy for fast cellular function. Consuming these foods is a good start for a healthy diet. The use of fructose lies in the fact that it leads to less sugar in the blood than starch. Found fructose in red apples, encourages the production of uric acid, which is a biological antioxidant.
One of the advantages of fructose is that it can be stored for a long period of time, in some cases up to six months. The use of fructose in food allows you to maintain its taste. When using fructose in baking, you may find that it gives it a soft brown color and a tasty smell.
Due to the small glycemic index, fructose does not affect the personal glucose level and helps maintain a healthy weight. Fructose in reasonable doses gives you more energy than regular sugar, which allows you to burn calories.
Harm of fructose
Despite the fact that fructose is a natural sugar in processed foods, it can be the culprit behind the growth of liver disease, obesity and diabetes. The human body absorbs fructose in contrast to other sugars and can lay the foundation for the development of fatty liver dystrophy associated with the accumulation of fat and liver failure.
Excessive consumption of products containing fructose can cause health problems. Fruits are an important component of a balanced diet containing vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants necessary for health. Nevertheless, each person should control the consumption of fruits that contain fructose. A high content of fructose can harm the body and aggravate the state of health.
Copper absorption impairment
In addition, according to medical research, fructose can reduce the ability of the body to absorb copper, which is a trace element necessary for the production of hemoglobin.
Increased cholesterol
Elevated cholesterol levels can be associated with the use of fructose. High cholesterol is dangerous, because it can lead to damage to the arteries and cardiovascular diseases.
Harm of fructose for infants
Fructose can damage the organs of babies. Physicians argue that fructose harms the internal organs of the child because of their tiny sizes. Children under six months of age are advised not to use fruit juices, as this can lead to a decrease in the absorption of carbohydrates. The violation of absorption of carbohydrates is associated with the appearance of intestinal colic, a decrease in sleep and crying of children.
Fructose uptake and metabolism
When ingested, fructose itself is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and it is almost completely cleared in the liver. Fructose is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract by a different mechanism than glucose. Glucose stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas, which fructose does not. Fructose is easily metabolized and converted to fat.
Studies on rodents, dogs using a diet high in fructose and sucrose invariably show an elevated lipid content in the blood. The metabolism of fructose in the liver drives the production of uric acid, which uses nitric oxide, which is a key modulator of vascular function. A high fructose diet increases lipid deposits in the liver and muscles and decreases the sensitivity of the liver insulin.