Interesting Facts About Fructose

Fructose is a natural component in fruits, juices and honey, lending a sweet taste to these food items. Processing corn creates a crystalline form of fructose that functions as an artificial sweetener.

Artificial Sweetener & Preservative

• Fructose has been used in foods and beverages as an artificial sweetener for the past 20 years. Since it is 1.2 times sweeter than table sugar, less fructose is needed to sweeten foods, which translates into fewer calories. Natural fructose is a safe form of sugar. Artificially produced fructose, however, is used in many bakery items and junk foods as a preservative. Consuming too much of this can make you put on weight.

Fructose & Blood Pressure

• A recent study by the University of Colorado Denver has established a link between high fructose consumption and high blood pressure. The study involved 4,528 adults over the age of 18 years. All participants had no previous history of hypertension. The participants answered questions regarding their food habits, particularly their consumption of fruit juices, candy, soft drinks and bakery products. The responses established that those who consumed 74 grams or more of fructose each day were at 26- to 77-percent higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Controlling Consumption of Fructose

• Fructose is a common ingredient in cakes, candies and a number of junk foods; however, there is a way you can enjoy its benefits without piling on the pounds. Select fresh fruits only and avoid items that are processed with corn syrups. If you opt for canned fruits, then choose the kind that is canned in fruit juices instead of sugary syrups. Avoid tinned juices and sugary colas.