John Myers
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What fructose is and how you can tell if you are suffering from fructose intolerance, we have summarized this practical tip for you.
What is fructose?
Fructose or fruit sugar is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) and belongs to carbohydrates. It occurs naturally in fruit and vegetables, but can also be found in table sugar and convenience products.
- The term fructose is deceptive because it is not only found in fruit and vegetables, but also in many other products such as baked goods, sweets, or milk products.
- Especially in industry, fructose is often used as a sweetener because it is cheaper than sucrose (table sugar) and also has a higher sweetening power.
- The main source of fructose is corn syrup, the fructose content of which is increased by means of enzymatic processes.
Fructose intolerance – symptoms
Bite into an apple and you get bloating, severe stomach cramps, or even diarrhea? If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you may have fructose intolerance. Here, however, a precise distinction between two different forms is required.
- Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is an inherited metabolic disorder that occurs very rarely. Due to an enzyme defect, fructose cannot be broken down, or only to a very limited extent. It accumulates in the kidneys, liver, and small intestine and, if left untreated, can lead to severe functional disorders in the liver and kidneys. Here the complete elimination of fructose from the diet is the only possible therapy.
- In contrast, intestinal fructose intolerance is much more common. This is fructose malabsorption: the fructose is only absorbed (absorbed) in the small intestine to a limited extent.
- The reduced absorption in the intestine can be attributed to the reduced availability of the transport protein GLUT-5. The fructose is not fully absorbed and ends up in the large intestine, where it is metabolized by microorganisms. The resulting gases and fatty acids are responsible for the typical symptoms.
- Flatulence and diarrhea are particularly common, but abdominal pain, colicky cramps, or a feeling of fullness are also possible. This varies depending on the amount consumed, the level of enzymes, and the person.
