What is Fructose Intolerance?
Fructose intolerance is a new disorder being diagnosed these days. It is a condition in which the body cannot properly digest fructose. Because it is present in many foods, it can be challenging for someone with this disorder to find things to eat. However, the only treatment is refining your diet by limiting and avoiding foods high in fructose.
Natural Fructose
First, fructose is a simple sugar. It is the primary sugar in many types of fruits and vegetables. Fructose is very sweet, and even though it is very sweet, it is low on the glycemic index. Foods that spike your blood sugar quickly are considered high glycemic. So, therefore, fructose does not cause a spike in blood sugar like table sugar and some juices.
Here are some foods that have natural fructose.
- Fruits like apples, bananas, pears, pineapples, watermelons, honey, and grapes.
- Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, and red peppers.
Natural fructose is not the same as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that gets added to foods and drinks.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFSC)
HFCS is cooked. The heating process breaks down glucose into fructose from cornstarch. The extensive heating process of cornstarch makes it the culprit of disease—the same as cooking oil. When fructose is treated with heat, it denaturalizes the molecules and causes reactive oxidation in your body, producing free radicles. Furthermore, HFCS creates inflammation. And that inflammation increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup examples:
- Dried fruits, canned juices, or syrups.
- Sodas and desserts.
- Processed foods.
- Artificial flavors.
- Baked goods and bread.
How is fructose digested?
Fructose is digested differently than glucose and other sugar substances. Firstly, it is absorbed in the small intestine then your liver converts it into energy. Therefore, fructose does not require insulin, like glucose, to be absorbed, which is why fructose is low on the glycemic scale.
Fructose Intolerance
When your digestive system doesn’t absorb fructose properly, it can cause an uncomfortable situation. The primary symptoms are inflammation, stomach pain, and fatigue. In addition, when it is difficult for your body to break down food or substances, you will feel exhausted.
People who are experiencing symptoms must avoid fructose. The more you avoid it, the better your body will function. However, some foods that are low in fructose can be tolerated. But that is based on the understanding of whether it makes you feel sick or not.
Dietary Intolerance to Fructose
Dietary fructose intolerance means your small intestines cannot absorb nor assimilate It properly. This will cause:
- Gas and bloating.
- Diarrhea and stomach pain.
Hereditary Intolerance to Fructose
Anything that is linked to heredity is usually a genetic condition. It means people are born without certain enzymes to break down specific substances in food. Like people with problems consuming dairy, people suffer from the same condition as fructose intolerance.
Hereditary symptoms are like dietary intolerance except a little more intense, producing more severe symptoms.
- Nausea, gas, and bloating.
- Diarrhea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Undigested fructose can damage the liver and kidneys.
While there is no cure for fructose intolerance, the condition can be managed by avoiding foods that contain fructose. For those with milder intolerance, this may mean simply avoiding foods high on the fructose scale. However, the more severe intolerance means you must follow a special diet that eliminates all sources of fructose.
If you think you have symptoms of fructose intolerance, get checked by your doctor. Once diagnosed, working with a registered dietitian can help you develop a plan to manage your condition and avoid the symptoms. With the proper management, people with fructose intolerance can still enjoy a variety of healthy foods.
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What is Fructose Intolerance?
Fructose intolerance is a new disorder being diagnosed these days. It is a condition in which the body cannot properly digest fructose. Because it is present in many foods, it can be challenging for someone with this disorder to find things to eat. However, the only treatment is refining your diet by limiting and avoiding foods high in fructose.
Natural Fructose
First, fructose is a simple sugar. It is the primary sugar in many types of fruits and vegetables. Fructose is very sweet, and even though it is very sweet, it is low on the glycemic index. Foods that spike your blood sugar quickly are considered high glycemic. So, therefore, fructose does not cause a spike in blood sugar like table sugar and some juices.
Here are some foods that have natural fructose.
- Fruits like apples, bananas, pears, pineapples, watermelons, honey, and grapes.
- Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, and red peppers.
Natural fructose is not the same as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that gets added to foods and drinks.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFSC)
HFCS is cooked. The heating process breaks down glucose into fructose from cornstarch. The extensive heating process of cornstarch makes it the culprit of disease—the same as cooking oil. When fructose is treated with heat, it denaturalizes the molecules and causes reactive oxidation in your body, producing free radicles. Furthermore, HFCS creates inflammation. And that inflammation increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup examples:
- Dried fruits, canned juices, or syrups.
- Sodas and desserts.
- Processed foods.
- Artificial flavors.
- Baked goods and bread.
How is fructose digested?
Fructose is digested differently than glucose and other sugar substances. Firstly, it is absorbed in the small intestine then your liver converts it into energy. Therefore, fructose does not require insulin, like glucose, to be absorbed, which is why fructose is low on the glycemic scale.
Fructose Intolerance
When your digestive system doesn’t absorb fructose properly, it can cause an uncomfortable situation. The primary symptoms are inflammation, stomach pain, and fatigue. In addition, when it is difficult for your body to break down food or substances, you will feel exhausted.
People who are experiencing symptoms must avoid fructose. The more you avoid it, the better your body will function. However, some foods that are low in fructose can be tolerated. But that is based on the understanding of whether it makes you feel sick or not.
Dietary Intolerance to Fructose
Dietary fructose intolerance means your small intestines cannot absorb nor assimilate It properly. This will cause:
- Gas and bloating.
- Diarrhea and stomach pain.
Hereditary Intolerance to Fructose
Anything that is linked to heredity is usually a genetic condition. It means people are born without certain enzymes to break down specific substances in food. Like people with problems consuming dairy, people suffer from the same condition as fructose intolerance.
Hereditary symptoms are like dietary intolerance except a little more intense, producing more severe symptoms.
- Nausea, gas, and bloating.
- Diarrhea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Undigested fructose can damage the liver and kidneys.
While there is no cure for fructose intolerance, the condition can be managed by avoiding foods that contain fructose. For those with milder intolerance, this may mean simply avoiding foods high on the fructose scale. However, the more severe intolerance means you must follow a special diet that eliminates all sources of fructose.
If you think you have symptoms of fructose intolerance, get checked by your doctor. Once diagnosed, working with a registered dietitian can help you develop a plan to manage your condition and avoid the symptoms. With the proper management, people with fructose intolerance can still enjoy a variety of healthy foods.