Fructose Malabsorption and Intolerance: Effects of Fructose with and without Simultaneous Glucose Ingestion

Abstract

Concern exists that increasing fructose consumption, particularly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, is resulting in increasing rates of fructose intolerance and aggravation of clinical symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. Most clinical trials designed to test this hypothesis have used pure fructose, a form not commonly found in the food supply, often in quantities and concentrations that exceed typical fructose intake levels. In addition, the amount of fructose provided in tests for malabsorption, which is thought to be a key cause of intolerance, often exceeds the normal physiological absorption capacity for this sugar. To help health professionals accurately identify and treat this condition, this article reviews clinical data related to understanding fructose malabsorption and intolerance (i.e., malabsorption that manifests with symptoms) relative to usual fructose and other carbohydrate intake. Because simultaneous consumption of glucose attenuates fructose malabsorption, information on the fructose and glucose content of foods, beverages, and ingredients representing a variety of food categories is provided.

The Ingestion of a Fructose-Containing Beverage Combined with Fat Cream Exacerbates Postprandial Lipidemia in Young Healthy Women

“…In reality, however, fructose is usually consumed as HFCS in soft drinks and many other foods 9) . In the present study, we enrolled young healthy women, thought to be among the highest consumers of fructose, and investigated TRL changes following the ingestion of fructose and/or glucose combined with fat cream.…”

Simultaneous Ingestion of Fructose and Fat Exacerbates Postprandial Exogenous Lipidemia in Young Healthy Japanese Women

“…Although other studies have employed 0.75-1.5 g/kg of fructose 7,17) , these high amounts of fructose often induce malabsorption that causes gastrointestinal symptoms, for example bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea [18][19][20] . HFCS-sweetened beverages contain approximately 20-30 g/500 mL of fructose 21) . Therefore, we utilized a moderate amount of fructose (0.5 g/kg) that could be ingested daily.…”

Evaluation of healthy and sensory indexes of sweetened beverages using an electronic tongue

“…(i) For GL data calculation a serving size (SS) of 330 mL was set (considering the mean SS values of beverages reported by Latulippe and Skoog [43]), and the carbohydrate composition data multiplied by the mean glycemic index (GI) of each pure sugar (GI Glucose = 99 AE 7; GI Fructose = 19 AE 2; GI Sucrose = 68 AE 5) compiled by Foster-Powell et al [10]:…”

“…(ii) The FI index was evaluated by the glucose-to-fructose free concentration ratio [8] and by the glucose-to-fructose total concentration ratio, assuming that each sucrose molecule may be transformed into one molecule of fructose and another of glucose [43]; since free fructose and fructose in sucrose may have different metabolic effects [44]:…”