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Is Fructose Healthier than Other Sugars?

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Too much sugar is unhealthy. But what about fructose, i.e. fruit sugar, which is found in many types of fruit and vegetables? It’s not necessarily better.

Although fructose occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, it should not be overdone. Fructose is not necessarily “better” or “healthier” than normal table sugar.

Body needs glucose

Many people think the body needs sugar to function at all. However, this is a misconception. The body needs a certain type of sugar – glucose – which is not only found in table sugar, but can also be obtained from starch, such as that found in potatoes or rice .

Fructose quickly leads to belly fat

Glucose is the optimal energy supplier for all cells. The main problem with fructose is that it can only be metabolized by the liver. The other cells have none of it. Therefore , fructose is deposited as fat very quickly – mostly as abdominal fat, or directly in the liver. In the worst case, this can lead to fatty liver .

Fruits and vegetables are still not a problem

But don’t panic: The daily boost of fruit and vegetables is of course not harmful . The body can easily process this amount of fructose. Mainly because the fructose is in a healthy mix with fiber and vitamins .

A medium-sized apple contains about six grams of fructose, and the WHO recommends a daily intake of sugar (of any type) not to exceed 25 grams . So two apples a day are easily in there. It only becomes difficult when the body gets too much additional fructose – through sweetened juices or sweets , for example. There is various evidence in research that too much fructose can lead to fatty liver, gout or diabetes.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 29 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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