Fructose
From W8MD weight loss and sleep centers
Fructose is a type of sugar that is naturally found in many fruits, vegetables, and honey. It is commonly used as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages, and is also used as a sweetener in many diet products marketed as "low sugar" or "sugar-free". In this article, we'll explore the health effects of fructose and how to make healthier choices when consuming it.
Health Effects of Fructose
- Consuming large amounts of fructose has been linked to several negative health effects, including:
- Increased risk of obesity: Fructose can contribute to weight gain and obesity when consumed in excess.
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes: Consuming large amounts of fructose can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by contributing to insulin resistance.
- Increased risk of heart disease: High fructose consumption has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease by contributing to high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and other risk factors.
- Increased risk of liver disease: Consuming large amounts of fructose can contribute to the development of fatty liver disease.
How to Make Healthier Choices
- While fructose is naturally occurring in many fruits and vegetables, it's important to make healthier choices when consuming it as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages. Here are some tips:
- Limit consumption of processed foods: Many processed foods and beverages contain high amounts of fructose, so limiting consumption of these products can help reduce fructose intake.
- Choose whole foods: Choose whole foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods that contain added fructose.
- Read labels: Read food labels to identify products that contain added fructose, such as high fructose corn syrup, and choose products with lower amounts of added sugars.
- Use natural sweeteners: Use natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia instead of products that contain added fructose.
Also see
This is a short summary article. For quality control, we do not encourage or allow strangers to edit the content.
