Fructose: de zoete zonde

Abstract

Fructose: a sweet sin Fructose, a monosaccharide, is found in fruit and vegetables. Since the 1970s, it has been added as a sweetener to soft drinks and many other foods, resulting in a growing intolerance and malabsorption of fructose. Rising fructose consumption is also a major factor in the development and worsening of overweight, obesity, fatty liver and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, fructose can cause gastrointestinal complaints, especially in the case of excessive intake, for example in the context of specific diets. Based on a case study, this article describes various gastrointestinal aspects of fructose consumption. Non-congenital fructose-induced metabolic changes in the context of fatty liver and the change in the intestinal structure are also discussed, as well as breath tests to diagnose fructose intolerance and several therapeutic options.